Mouthwashing Vanishes From Itch.io Search—Payment Processors Strike Again
When finance meets pixels, even a Game‑of‑the‑Year contender can disappear.
Here’s the TL;DR…
Indie darling Mouthwashing no longer appears in Itch.io search results after the store tightened content rules to satisfy payment‑processor demands.
Visa and Mastercard’s stricter guidelines have already pushed hundreds of titles off other storefronts—and now the ripple has reached Itch.io.
Developers and preservation advocates warn that creative freedom is at risk as banks, not gamers, decide what’s “acceptable” to sell online.
The Disappearing Act
On July 28 2025, Mouthwashing—a 2024 GOTY nominee from indie studio Wrong Organ—was quietly scrubbed from Itch.io’s search bar. According to audio designer Martin Halldin, “the game was yoinked” after Itch.io updated its forbidden‑content list to align with new credit‑card policies. The title isn’t banned outright; you can still reach its page with a direct link—but good luck finding it organically.
Follow the Money: Visa, Mastercard, and the New Rulebook
The culprit isn’t Itch.io alone. Payment giants Visa and Mastercard have issued sweeping content restrictions aimed at “adult or objectionable” material. Earlier this month, Steam delisted nearly 500 visual novels and niche games for the same reason. Indie devs now face a Catch‑22: tone down themes or lose a payment pipeline entirely.
Indie Shockwaves
Mouthwashing’s removal stings because the game is hardly low-effort or fringe trash. Critics applauded its split, non‑linear narrative and moody artwork. It holds an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating on Steam, yet still fell under the opaque umbrella of “possible policy violations.” As of this article’s publication, Mouthwashing is still available for purchase on Steam. Developers fear this signals a slippery slope where anything remotely edgy could be flagged next.
Creativity vs. Commerce
For years, Itch.io championed low‑barrier publishing and generous revenue splits. But when card networks tighten the screws, platforms either comply or risk losing transaction support altogether. Industry watchers caution that this financial gatekeeping could throttle the very diversity that makes indie games explode with fresh ideas.
What Happens Now?
Wrong Organ hasn’t announced alternate storefront plans, but self‑publishing or pay‑what‑you‑want bundles may be options.
Itch.io continues reviewing its catalog—more titles could vanish if they trip the same wires.
Preservation advocates urge lawmakers to curb banks’ “silent censorship,” arguing that commercial pressure shouldn’t dictate artistic boundaries.
As digital storefronts weigh risk against creativity, Mouthwashing’s vanishing act is a stark reminder: in today’s marketplace, payment processors can pull the plug faster than any content‑moderation bot.
Sources
The Gamer, “Indie GOTY Candidate Mouthwashing Removed From Itch.io After Payment‑Processor Crackdown,” July 28 2025
The Gamer, “Steam Delists Nearly 500 Games Under Updated Processor Rules,” July 16 2025
Wikipedia entries for “Mouthwashing (video game)” and “Itch.io,” 2025 editions
The New York Times, “How Credit‑Card Policies Are Redrawing Gaming’s Boundaries,” July 27 2025
Bluesky post by @siarate confirming Itch.io search removal, July 28 2025
News compiled and edited by Derek Gibbs and Steven Bubbles on July 28 2025. Follow us on ClownfishTV.com for more gaming, pop‑culture, and tech news, and consider subscribing for only $5 per month to unlock exclusive podcasts and other content.