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
Adult games are facing increased pressure from payment processors following a campaign by Australian anti-porn group Collective Shout. The organization pressured major payment processors including Mastercard, PayPal, Visa, and Paysafe Limited to withdraw services from digital storefronts if they continued hosting adult content. The campaign successfully prompted Steam and Itch.io to remove adult games from their platforms, creating significant uncertainty for developers in the genre.
The removal has left developers in a precarious position. Some adult games continue to be approved by storefronts, while others face bans with minimal explanation or opportunity for appeal. This inconsistency has created a “chilling effect” on the industry, making it difficult for creators to determine whether their work will be hosted or rejected.
Developers behind the upcoming Hellraiser game have responded to the crackdown, criticizing the removals as “ridiculous for our art form.” Despite the broader industry pressures, they express confidence they will survive the controversy, believing their association with Clive Barker—the horror icon behind the original Hellraiser franchise—provides them with greater legitimacy and protection compared to other adult game developers facing similar challenges.