The r/gaming community finds itself at a crossroads, as the forces shaping the industry grow more visible and contentious. This month, the most impactful conversations revolve around payment processor-driven censorship, the shifting value of games and consoles, and a rallying cry for creative independence—both from within and outside established studios.
Censorship and Platform Control: The Slippery Slope
Amidst growing concerns over content moderation, recent threads about platform censorship and payment processor overreach dominated discussion. Indie creators and fans alike decried the mass delisting of NSFW content from major platforms such as Itch.io, spotlighting how Visa and Mastercard have become "the moral police of the world."
"Trying to take down GTA will be a massive mistake and their downfall. Not only the backlash of hundreds of millions of fans, but even Take2 would be on their ass." – u/Kaspcorp
This mounting pressure has not only endangered adult games but also threatened mainstream series like Grand Theft Auto and Saints Row. The community rallied around the idea that "censorship never stops at porn," warning of a broader chilling effect on artistic expression. The story of Kenji Eno's legendary defiance—smuggling uncensored discs past regulators—served as a potent reminder of the risks and rewards of pushing back.
Nostalgia and Value: The Enduring Legacy of Games
While censorship debates raged, the community also celebrated the enduring appeal of classic games and hardware. Rediscoveries like an old PS Vita sparked waves of sentimentality, as users reminisced about lost treasures and the unique satisfaction of returning to beloved titles.
"Nice! About a year ago I found my OG PSP apparently just in time. Had the original battery pack in it and it had swollen up enough to pop the battery cover off partially lol..." – u/LolYouFuckingLoser
Conversations about the value of used games revealed frustration with price inflation, even for multi-year-old releases. The nostalgia theme extended to creative tributes, such as a remarkable Elizabeth cosplay and the celebration of iconic lines from GTA San Andreas. These moments highlighted the emotional bonds players share with gaming's history.
Creative Defiance and New Talent: Breaking Free from the Mold
The community's optimism surfaced through discussions about the success of games like Stray and Expedition 33, developed by ex-Ubisoft talent. Many users argued that the industry's brightest minds are thriving outside restrictive corporate structures, suggesting a fertile future for indie innovation.
"Proof that Ubisoft has talented people but bad management/corporate structure." – u/Shamee99
Finally, an introspective look at Call of Duty's evolution from gritty realism to colorful spectacle fueled conversation about how commercial incentives and genre trends reshape even the most established franchises.
Sources
- How Call of Duty started vs. How it's going by u/Holiday-Proof9819 (51059 points) - Posted: August 19, 2025 at 06:19 PM UTC
- Found my old Vita behind a bookcase, still works! by u/Smackvein (45587 points) - Posted: July 21, 2025 at 02:38 PM UTC
- My Elizabeth cosplay (Bioshock Infinite) by u/Dragu_nova (45220 points) - Posted: July 23, 2025 at 07:14 PM UTC
- Ummm....maybe the world needs more ex Ubisoft employees?? by u/elusiveanswers (40383 points) - Posted: July 26, 2025 at 04:55 AM UTC
- Censorship never stops at porn - slope is getting slippery by u/NathanLonghair (35897 points) - Posted: August 06, 2025 at 01:20 PM UTC
- Adult Games Are Only The Beginning, Grand Theft Auto And Saints Row Reportedly "At Risk" Of Being Delisted By Payment Processors by u/TheChessHorse (35447 points) - Posted: August 05, 2025 at 11:55 AM UTC
- A 3 year old, used game going for $59.99. Thanks gamestop by u/CHUNKY_BLOODY_QUEEFS (27285 points) - Posted: August 03, 2025 at 06:35 PM UTC
- Greatest line in gaming history by u/GanjaGlobal (26705 points) - Posted: August 10, 2025 at 09:05 PM UTC
- Kenji Eno, creator of D, got a fake "clean" version of the game approved before deliberately submitting the master late, knowing the delay would force him to hand-deliver it to manufacturers in the US. On the plane, he switched the "clean" discs with the real discs, bypassing all censorship. by u/LookAtThatBacon (24041 points) - Posted: August 16, 2025 at 02:37 PM UTC
- After Steam, Itch has now caved to puritanical payment processors and delisted EVERYTHING with NSFW tags from its website and frozen payments to affected sellers. This screws over so many small-time creators, it's heartbreaking. by u/Omnicide103 (23771 points) - Posted: July 24, 2025 at 07:57 AM UTC
Every community has stories worth telling professionally. - Melvin Hanna