[Megathread] Payments Processors & Collective Shout VS NSFW games

Submitted ⁨⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago⁩ by ⁨Dremor@lemmy.world⁩ to ⁨games@lemmy.world⁩

Hi friends,

There was many threads lately on that topic, and despite attempts at making all those threads follow the community rules, looks like it will be better to make a megathread in order to avoid drowning other topics under the constant updates about this.

You find bellow multiple sections, containing as much info as possible on every aspect of this topic, including the latest news (as well as older ones), and how to participate in fighting it (if you wish to).

The moderation, even if we do have our own personal opinion on the topic, will try to stay as neutral as possible, which mean all opinion (for or against) are welcome, as long as it respect the rules, especially rule 2.

As a special exception to rule 4, memes are welcome in the comment section, as I saw some good ones in various other topics, as soon as they respect rule 2.

Latest news

Older News

- Itch.io apologise for “frustration and confusion” after delisting thousands of NSFW projects - Itch.io is delisting NSFW games due to pressure from payment processors - Waypoint Writers Quit Over Removal Of Articles Related To New Steam Policy - Steam is cracking down on porn games, to keep Payment Processors happy. - Valve gets pressured by payment processors with a new rule for game devs and various adult games removed There are probably more, I just posted those which were on c/games

How to participate to the phone campaign

The current campaign focuses on calls to payment processor, and a petition.

Ressources

The petition on change.org

change.org/…/tell-mastercard-visa-activist-groups…

One-tap dial phone numbers, by u/TherapyGary@lemmy.blahaj.zone

## One-tap dial phone numbers: Master card
* US + Can English
(skips card number input)
* Global — Visa
* US English — PayPal
* US English
Say “make a complaint”
* Global — Stripe (unconfirmed)
* US English
— Script:
> I’m calling to urge [company name] to immediately end the policy that unfairly targets the adult content industry. I’m also asking that [company name] sit down with stakeholders- specifically sex workers and adult content creators- to develop solutions that ensure equitable access to financial services, create stability, and reduce harm for sex workers.
—

Call strategy to be as annoying as possible without abusing call center workers, by u/Pro@programming.dev - source : https://lemmy.world/post/33614184

- Second Thread. - Another Thread. Strategy in Practice: Image Image Image Image Image Image Image Image Image Image Image

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Comments

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ColeSloth@discuss.tchncs.de ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
Wow. “Mega threads” are exactly how reddit buries away news they don’t really want people to see or care about.

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- Devmapall@lemmy.zip ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
  Huh, I never really thought about it when I was on reddit but I sure ended up ignoring the megathreads.
  
  On steam there’s often dedicated threads to post bugs/questions and somehow they make it harder for me to find a problem or solution also. I usually will find what I need in a different thread.
  
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- Dremor@lemmy.world ⁨23⁩ ⁨hours⁩ ago
  That’s probably why it is pinned, to burry it away from everyone eyes 🙄.
  
  I had multiples report about the various topics that popped over the weekend, because how many of them there was on a span of a few days. Moderating them was a nightmare, so I tried to politely ask everyone to consolidate on the same thread. Somehow it ended up in insults, so I had to close it. First I considered selecting another topic, but most of the remainding ones were to foccused on one part of the issue to do such thing.
  
  Thus, the megathread.
  
  Trust me, I’m not a fan of the concept either, mostly because how time costly it is to maintain it, but that the price to pay to not have to spend twice the time sorting repports on various threads.
  
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p03locke@lemmy.dbzer0.com ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
I’ve posted this elsewhere, but this video is a really good breakdown of the situation.

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Katana314@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
Not an authoritative source, but a Redditor claimed that the term “payment processors” is being misconstrued in a way that could misdirect blame. Visa and Mastercard have given some people responses claiming they take no position on adult content, and it’s possible they’re telling the truth.

Basically, payment processors by this guy’s definition are lesser known companies that handle other middle level processing; like Stripe, PayPal, or Heartland, as well as many others you’ve never heard of. And, what makes the debate difficult with them is that they’ve always viewed adult content as a “risky” subject - due to higher frequency of support cases, chargebacks, general frustration, etc. As such, some processor that sell their service to adult businesses may charge higher rates - rates that stores like Steam or Itch are probably less willing to pay for 90% of their library.

Take that summary with a grain of salt as it’s only based on rumors and indirect industry knowledge. Not an indication people shouldn’t complain, since Visa/MC could still choose to take a stance and investigate wrongdoing, and might not be totally honest; but it’s possible the full blame will go to other specific businesses.

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- acosmichippo@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
  
  And, what makes the debate difficult with them is that they’ve always viewed adult content as a “risky” subject - due to higher frequency of support cases, chargebacks, general frustration, etc. As such, some processor that sell their service to adult businesses may charge higher rates - rates that stores like Steam or Itch are probably less willing to pay for 90% of their library.
  
  but game platforms are clearly not your typical “adult business”. there are payment issues with adult businesses because they use shady billing practices like dark patterns, automatic renewals after a “free” trial, etc. I don’t know of any popular game platform that is anywhere close to that shady.
  
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  - Katana314@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨day⁩ ago
    I don’t think that’s really the distinction in adult businesses - entertainment companies often use those same dark patterns around trials/subscriptions. Maybe some adult businesses do too, but that’s not unique.
    
    My understanding is that the higher rate is related more to the product and customer behavior, rather than the seller’s behavior. By some trend, customers are more likely to refund a hentai tentacle game than a regular platformer.
    
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