Grand Theft Auto is a potential target of future payment processor game delisting – Insider claims
ZOOM Platforms staff expect game delistings to continue amid pressure from payment processors
A team member of ZOOM Platforms, a DRM-free PC games seller, has stated that they expect payment processors to exert more pressure on gaming platforms to delist adult games. In a comment to GamingOnLinux, it was said that “Grand Theft Auto, Duke Nukem, and Saints Row were described as potentially at risk.”
In a public statement (below), ZOOM Platforms says that they are working with payment processors to prevent any game delistings. The company has stated that they will “do absolutely everything in our power to prevent such de-listings.”
Recent weeks have seen Valve, the operator of Steam, purge “Adult Only” games from its platform to appease payment processors. Last month, Steam added a clause to its rules and guidelines that says that “content that may violate the rules and standards set forth by Steam’s payment processors and related card networks and banks, or internet network providers” shouldn’t be posted to Steam. This has sparked a fierce debate about the power that payment processors have over online commerce.
Preserving and Protecting Artistic Freedom
As you are likely aware, there have been a number of adult title de-listings across the industry. One of our payment processors made us aware that a “fellow member of the industry” was concerned about our content. After we heard from the payment processor, we immediately engaged in lengthy discussions with both PayPal and Stripe. We worked with our contacts at the aforementioned payment processors to develop a tripartite solution to ensure the right to free speech and freedom of expression as well as protect the safety of our valued customers and partners.
- We have added an opt-in security option for Two-Factor Authentication using Time-Based One Time Passwords (TOTP) to safeguard consumers’ accounts. This feature can be accessed by going to your Account Settings.
- Many of our customers have expressed difficulty in being able to make purchases with our current payment processors. We are examining alternate payment options.
- The first of these upgrades is a wallet system. For future purchases, this feature allows users to add funds to their account and spend them on all of our products.
We have no plans to remove any titles, and will do absolutely everything in our power to prevent such de-listings. We are fervent supporters of artistic freedom and always will be.
Vague guidelines will have a chilling effect
Payment processors are currently targeting adult games to test their authority. Critics of the move are rightly concerned about how payment processors can use their power to censor content. Valve’s new guidelines on this matter are also incredibly vague. These rules will have a chilling effect on Steam’s NSFW game creators. If these guidelines remain unclear, many developers will be overly cautious to avoid potential delistings.
If payment processors can control platforms without pushback, they will likely push further. This is why many think that games like “Grand Theft Auto, Duke Nukem, and Saints Row” could be at risk. All of these games feature content that payment processors could oppose.
In an email to GamingOnLinux, one of their team said they expect the de-listing situation to expand further and in their discussions titles like “Grand Theft Auto, Duke Nukem, and Saints Row were described as potentially at risk”.
Should payment processors be able to control how consumers spend their money? Should they have any say over how a platform polices its content? If anyone is to police this, should it be payment processors?
You can join the discussion on Grand Theft Auto, Duke Nukem, and more being potential targets of delisting on the OC3D Forums.
