Censorship
Ongoing coverage on Censorship.
Latest coverage
White House takes aim at internet anonymity while stripping states of power
The Trump administration is reportedly negotiating with senators to advance bills that could impact internet anonymity and online privacy, including the Kids Online Safety Act and the NO FAKES Act. The administration also aims to implement age-verification mandates and establish federal precedent for regulating AI data centers, potentially overriding state-level control.
Banned horror title Horses begins recouping development costs after selling 30,000 copies
The horror game Horses, previously banned from Steam and the Epic Games Store, has begun to recoup its development costs after selling 30,000 copies and generating $100,000 in revenue. Santa Ragione co-founder Pietro Righi Riva stated that while the revenue is not enough for a new project, it covers investor returns and development costs. The game, which won multiple awards, was eventually released on Itch.io, GOG, and the Humble Store.
Evening Legal Briefs
Senators Ted Cruz and Ron Wyden have introduced the bipartisan JAWBONE Act, aiming to combat censorship. The legislation seeks to address concerns regarding online content moderation and free speech.
Russian censors target yuri VN titles on Steam
Russian censors have targeted yuri visual novel titles developed by ebi-hime, leading to their removal from the Russian version of Steam. Games like 'Her Love, Like Poison,' 'The Demon Queen’s Dire Dilemma,' and 'Rituals in the Dark' were deemed in violation of Russian distribution laws by Roskomnadzor. This action highlights Steam's policy of placing the onus on developers to comply with foreign censorship regulations, which can be a burden for indie creators.
Bunny Garden 2 developer says adult women with small chests are too “risky”
Yuji Usuda, CEO of Qureate, stated that platform holders and payment processors create risks for including diverse character body types in games like Bunny Garden 2. He explained that characters with smaller chests are sometimes perceived as underage, leading developers to create overly curvy characters to avoid censorship issues on platforms like Patreon and Steam.
Fantia enforces stricter censorship guidelines while opening up to global audience
Fantia is implementing stricter censorship and mosaic standards for creators, effective May 25th, 2026, which will also apply retroactively to previously published works. This policy change coincides with the platform's major translation update, adding English, Chinese, and Korean support to attract a global audience. The platform faces potential creator exodus due to the demanding new guidelines and the manual effort required for compliance.
"Honestly? We botched it" - Kickstarter apologises for its criticised adult content rules, and for betraying its "f*ck the establishment spirit"
Crowdfunding platform Kickstarter has apologized for its recently implemented adult content rules, admitting they "botched" the changes and alienated its community. The new guidelines, introduced due to clashes with payment provider Stripe, were too restrictive and abandoned Kickstarter's counterculture spirit. Kickstarter will revert to its previous guidelines while working on new ones that better balance creator freedom with payment processor requirements.
Removing Doki Doki Literature Club from Google Is a Bad Idea (for Google)
Google has removed the visual novel Doki Doki Literature Club from its Play Store and Android App Store, citing its inappropriate content. Developers Dan Salvato and Serenity Forge confirmed the removal, while other platforms like Steam still offer the game. This decision has sparked community outrage and discussions about censorship and arbitrary policy enforcement, especially given the game's 2017 release date.
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.
Pricing and censorship complaints be damned: Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen sold over 4 million units in six weeks
Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen have sold over 4 million units combined globally within six weeks of their release on Game Boy Advance. Despite controversies regarding pricing and a profanity filter, the remakes have achieved significant commercial success. The article also notes the strong sales of the new title Pokémon Pokopia on Nintendo Switch.
Facing Chinese censorship, sci-fi RPG shows 50 million users its most depraved content through stick figure drawings
The dating sim Love and Deepspace, developed by Infold Games, is navigating Chinese censorship by using stick figure drawings and abstract text animations to depict its adult content. While international versions feature more explicit animations, the game's approach to mature themes and catering to female players is highlighted as a significant step forward in the industry. The article discusses how the game balances its erotic elements with typical gacha mechanics and house decorating features.
Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream Won't Judge You If You're Horny
The latest Tomodachi Life's lax text filtering allows players to engage in discussions about sexual topics, reflecting a complex online environment of both permissiveness and restriction. Despite Nintendo's family-friendly image, the game's design, particularly its lack of easy sharing features, creates a private space where players can explore humor and intimacy without immediate external judgment.
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced Producer Says Game's Reveal Was 'Toned Down' After Complaints That Ubisoft Had Removed Blood
Ubisoft has addressed fan concerns regarding the limited blood effects shown in the recent reveal of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced. The company acknowledged that the game's presentation was adjusted following earlier complaints about the removal of blood.
Turkiye passes legislation to tighten its grip on Steam and other gaming platforms, but it's social media companies…
Turkiye's parliament has approved new legislation that will impose stricter regulations on gaming platforms like Steam and Epic Games Store. The bill, part of a broader push to protect children, includes requirements for age ratings, parental tools, and data sharing with authorities. While platforms face penalties for non-compliance, they will not be banned outright, though social media companies face more severe consequences.
Russia regularly censors manga covering entire pages with black bars
Manga in Russia is being censored with black bars covering entire pages, a practice that has recently gained international attention. Russian authorities justify this censorship as protecting youth from "LGBT propaganda," a justification that human rights organizations argue restricts freedom of expression and sets dangerous legal precedents.
'I was ignored:' BAFTA criticised after pulling indie game trailer from awards ceremony
BAFTA has been criticized after pulling a trailer for the upcoming autobiographical narrative game, The Quiet Things, from its recent awards ceremony. Developer Alyx Jones claims the trailer was removed at the last minute despite revisions requested by BAFTA, with Jones stating she was ignored when offering further changes. BAFTA stated the decision was made due to potentially triggering themes and the inability to provide sufficient warnings to guests.
BAFTA pulls game trailer over 'themes that may be a trigger' even after developer revision
BAFTA pulled the trailer for Silver Script Games' upcoming title, The Quiet Things, from its awards show due to sensitive themes, despite developer Alyx Jones's revisions. Jones stated the game deals with trauma, abuse, and survival, and expressed pain at the decision, noting BAFTA cited insufficient time for content warnings.
Russian Censorship Sim ‘Носковраздор’ Lets You Block Digital Services
The new PC game 'Носковраздор' simulates the role of a network operator tasked with blocking digital services and restricting internet access, drawing controversy for its premise. Developed by a Russian team, the game explores themes of censorship and digital policy, prompting discussions about government overreach and digital freedom. Its simulation mechanics focus on administrative control and strategic restriction, leaving ethical interpretations to the player.
Bunny Garden Producer: Making games with “very restrained expression wouldn’t make anyone happy”
Yujiro Usuda, producer at qureate, discussed the challenges of creating risque games like Bunny Garden 2, emphasizing that overly restrained expression would displease players. He also touched upon how character design can impact age ratings, potentially restricting game sales. The company aims to continue creating games for a mature audience while exploring contemporary methods of expression.
Google Removes Doki Doki Literature Club from Play Store Without Explanation
Google has removed the critically acclaimed indie game Doki Doki Literature Club from the Google Play Store without providing a specific explanation to developer Team Salvato, citing a Terms of Service violation. The removal has sparked community backlash, with many criticizing the lack of human review and transparency in the decision-making process, especially given the game's themes of digital manipulation and loss of agency.
