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The adult game crackdown is "ridiculous for our art form", say Hellraiser devs, but they think they'll survive thanks to that Clive Barker association
Developers of Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival express frustration over the ongoing crackdown on adult games, calling it 'ridiculous for our art form.' They believe the established IP status of Hellraiser provides some protection against bans on platforms like Steam, though they acknowledge the chilling effect on developers of original IPs. The game will launch on Steam on October 8 but faces challenges with age classification in territories like Germany and Japan.
Mastercard Signs On as Sponsor of New York XRP Ledger Hackathon Ahead of Swell
Mastercard has been announced as a sponsor for the upcoming XRP Ledger Hackathon in New York, scheduled for October 24-25, 2026. The event, organized by XRPL Commons and the XRP Ledger Foundation, focuses on blockchain development with tracks in Protocol Innovation, Agentic Finance, and Lending/Borrowing, and includes a developer bootcamp. While not directly targeting gaming, advancements in autonomous transactions and lending protocols could impact future gaming economies.
Clarity Act stumbles, Strategy trims again, and the fight nobody saw behind Mastercard’s $1.8 billion BVNK buy
The cryptocurrency industry is undergoing a significant stress test, with events like a major Bitcoin outflow due to a Coldcard wallet attack, the failure of the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act to pass the Senate, and multiple corporate treasury sales of Bitcoin. Despite these challenges, institutional interest remains, with Fidelity proposing staking rewards for its Ether ETF and Goldman Sachs acquiring NEOS. Meanwhile, Bybit has sued North Korea over a $1.5 billion hack, and over 100 crypto projects have shut down this year, indicating a market shakeout.
Visa, Mastercard and Coinbase have launched a new global stablecoin
Visa, Mastercard, and Coinbase have partnered to launch a new global stablecoin. This venture aims to leverage the existing infrastructure of these major financial institutions for a new digital currency.
"We have to have free human expression in some capacity": Patreon CEO shares frustrations about getting adult content past payment processors
Patreon CEO Jack Conte expressed frustration with payment processors like Stripe and Mastercard, who dictate policies on 'adult content' and threaten to withhold services. This pressure has led platforms like Steam and Itch.io to change their policies, impacting creators. Conte highlighted Patreon's efforts to build leverage through a 'hot-swappable payments architecture' to better support artists on the platform, while acknowledging the ongoing challenges in navigating these complex financial and content regulations.
Best Online Casinos that Approve Mastercard Deposits - Push Start Play
This guide explores online casinos that accept Mastercard deposits, highlighting its widespread acceptance, convenience, and security. It lists top casinos like Casino A, B, C, D, and E that support Mastercard and provides a step-by-step process for making deposits, ensuring a smooth and safe gaming experience.
Roland-Garros eSeries by Renault 2026: Samuel “Sasmis” Sanin Ortiz Claims Back-to-Back Titles
Samuel Sanin Ortiz, also known as "Sasmis", has successfully defended his Roland-Garros eSeries by Renault title, defeating Eugen Mosdir "AreidY" in the finals. This marks the second consecutive year Ortiz has won the eTennis championship, solidifying its status as a major global mobile esports event with record participation and international broadcast coverage.
New Report From G2A and Juniper Research Predicts “Trust Advantage” as the Next Growth Driver in Global Digital Commerce
A new report from G2A Group and Juniper Research identifies a 'Trust Advantage' as a key growth driver in global digital commerce. The study highlights that consumers prioritize security, with digital wallets being the most trusted feature. Marketplaces that invest in robust trust infrastructure are predicted to outperform direct brand purchases.
Japanese game dev denied by bank with ties to western payment processors
Japanese game developer Mousou no Mayu reported that their domestic bank, Daishi Hokuetsu Bank, refused to process a payment from their publisher, Kagura Games, due to the game's content. The bank, which has significant investment from Blackrock, a major shareholder in Visa and Mastercard, cited concerns over adult content despite the Steam version being all-ages. The developer has since moved to Sumishin SBI Net Bank.
Adult games may be an unintended beneficiary as FTC pressure payment providers like Visa and Mastercard not to debank Trump supporters, but I doubt it
The US Federal Trade Commission has sent letters to major payment providers like Visa and Mastercard, urging them not to deny services based on political or religious views. This action, intended to prevent discrimination against Trump supporters, could inadvertently benefit the adult games industry by discouraging payment processors from bowing to pressure that previously led to content delistings on platforms like Itch.io and Valve.
The video game payment processor crisis may be getting better, thanks to the American Federal Trade Commission
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued warnings to payment processors like Mastercard, Visa, Stripe, and PayPal, stating they cannot deny service based on political or religious views. This action may alleviate the ongoing crisis affecting video game developers and platforms, such as Itch.io and Valve, who have faced restrictions on content and payment services due to pressure from these processors.
Evening Legal Briefs
The FTC has indicated that Mastercard's past actions pressuring Steam to remove NSFW games were not viewed favorably. Separately, a legal ruling may allow a class-action lawsuit against Meta concerning alleged torrenting activities to proceed.
Remember when Mastercard pressured Steam to remove a bunch of NSFW games? The FTC says that's not cool—sort…
The US Federal Trade Commission has sent letters to major financial services companies like Mastercard, Visa, PayPal, and Stripe, expressing concerns about potential political or religious discrimination in their services. This action follows Valve's report that Mastercard pressured Steam to remove NSFW games, a claim Mastercard denies, stating they only allow lawful purchases. The FTC's investigation could impact how payment processors handle content restrictions.