Alarm Bells Ring for GTA and Saints Row

The increasing pressure from payment providers to remove certain adult content games from digital stores in recent weeks has now sparked a much larger debate. The claim that these demands, directed at platforms like Steam and Itch.io, may not be limited to indie games with adult content has generated considerable buzz. In this context, it has been rumored that even high-profile franchises like GTA, Saints Row, and Duke Nukem could be targeted.

Why Are Games Like GTA and Saints Row Being Targeted?

According to a statement from a ZOOM Platform representative, games like GTA, Duke Nukem, and Saints Row were explicitly mentioned as “potentially risky content” in discussions with payment infrastructure providers. While no outright removals have yet been made, the fact that these games have been scrutinized due to their controversial themes in the past has raised serious concerns.

The resurgence of the Australian-based group Collective Shout, which led to the 2014 ban of GTA 5 in some countries, is particularly fueling these concerns. The group is known for its stance against the objectification of women and has now taken action to pressure payment providers to intervene in their content. This suggests that major brands like GTA could also be affected by the same pressure.

In contrast, some digital retailers like ZOOM Platform and GOG refuse to back down. In fact, GOG took a notable stance in response to this pressure by temporarily offering free access to some adult-themed games. However, this new control mechanism in payment systems raises serious questions about the extent to which content censorship can reach.

While major companies like Take-Two have a stronger line of defense against such pressures, the concern is not limited to independent developers. The fact that political and social campaigns target game content through payment systems points to a broader struggle for freedom in the digital gaming world.

Read More: Storage May Be Switch 2’s Biggest Problem