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
Last year, a concerted effort by the Australian anti-pornography group Collective Shout significantly impacted the landscape for adult game developers. The organization successfully pressured major payment processors like Mastercard, PayPal, Visa, and Paysafe Limited to threaten withdrawal of services from digital storefronts such as Steam and Itch.io if these platforms continued to host sexually explicit games. This campaign led to numerous titles being removed and has created a pervasive "chilling effect" across the industry, leaving developers in a precarious state regarding the potential for their content to be banned with little warning or recourse.
This climate of uncertainty was recently highlighted by Valve's actions against Molleindustria's game, Future? No Thanks!. Initially, Valve blocked the game due to scenes featuring minor nudity. However, following considerable public outcry and lobbying efforts, Valve ultimately reversed its decision, reinstating the game on its platform. This incident underscores the inconsistent and often reactive nature of content moderation in the wake of the Collective Shout campaign.
The developers behind Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival are now navigating this challenging environment. Their recent demo, set extensively within a fetish club and featuring both male and female nudity alongside sexually explicit content, directly confronts the current standards. Despite the obvious risks, the developers, when questioned about potential Steam bans, appear to be banking on their connection to the legendary horror creator Clive Barker, hoping it might offer some protection or leverage against content restrictions.
Our take
Live commentary on a developing story, not a final verdict.
Okay, let's talk about the absolute clown show that is digital content moderation in the wake of moral panic groups. Collective Shout basically weaponized payment processors, turning them into de facto content censors, and now we've got a Wild West scenario where developers are constantly looking over their shoulders. It's not about protecting minors; it's about imposing a singular moral viewpoint onto an entire creative medium, and the inconsistency is infuriating. One day minor nudity gets you banned, the next you're fine after a public outcry. Make it make sense, Valve.
And honestly, the irony of a Hellraiser game—a franchise built on themes of sadomasochism, forbidden pleasure, and extreme body horror—potentially being censored for some explicit content is peak internet drama. Clive Barker literally made a universe where pain and pleasure are intertwined, and now we're worried about a bit of virtual skin? The idea that the developers are hoping Barker's name will shield them from the whims of a payment processor's prudish policies is both hilarious and deeply depressing. It's a sad state when artistic vision has to rely on brand recognition to avoid being swept under the rug.
This whole situation isn't just about adult games; it's about the slippery slope of external groups dictating what art is permissible on major platforms. When payment processors become the arbiters of taste, you know the drama is going to be endless, inconsistent, and ultimately, stifling for genuine creative expression. Digital platforms need to grow a spine and establish clear, consistent guidelines that don't bow to every moralistic whisper campaign.
This is our take on a developing story, not the final word — read the original reporting at Rock Paper Shotgun ↗
