In a recent development within the gaming industry, Mastercard has sought to clarify its position regarding the recent spate of bans on NSFW games across platforms like Steam and Itch.io. The payment processor emphasized that it has not played a direct role in these content restrictions, instead attributing the situation to its established guidelines governing consumer purchases.
Mastercard’s Clarification
In an official statement on its website, Mastercard asserted, “We have not evaluated any game or required restrictions of any activity on game creator sites and platforms, contrary to media reports and allegations.” The company further explained that its payment network adheres to standards grounded in legal frameworks, allowing all lawful purchases while mandating that merchants implement adequate controls to prevent the use of Mastercard for unlawful transactions, including illegal adult content.
Valve, the parent company of Steam, also weighed in on the matter, clarifying that it had not engaged in direct communication with Mastercard regarding the NSFW content concerns. A representative from Valve noted that the issues stemmed from interactions with payment processors and banking intermediaries rather than Mastercard itself. “Mastercard did not communicate with Valve directly, despite our request to do so,” the representative stated. “Mastercard communicated with payment processors and their acquiring banks. Payment processors communicated this with Valve, and we replied by outlining Steam’s policy since 2018 of attempting to distribute games that are legal for distribution. Payment processors rejected this, and specifically cited Mastercard’s Rule 5.12.7 and risk to the Mastercard brand.”
For those unfamiliar, Rule 5.12.7 prohibits the use of Mastercard for any illegal activities, which has become a focal point in the ongoing discussions surrounding content moderation in the gaming sector.
