Short version: no platform is perfect for adult games in 2026. Subscription platforms (Patreon, SubscribeStar) fund development but don't sell finished games well. General stores (Steam, itch.io) are reachable but can delist adult content when their payment processors push. Adult-focused stores accept your content but take bigger cuts or target specific markets. Most successful creators use two or three channels.
What changed in 2025
In July 2025, after pressure on the payment companies, Steam added a rule against content that might break its processors' policies and removed hundreds of adult titles. itch.io deindexed all adult content from search and browse on July 24, 2025. Free adult games returned at the end of July; paid adult games have been coming back slowly. For many creators, itch.io traffic from adult tags disappeared overnight.
The lesson: a store that runs on general-purpose payment processors can drop your category at any time, even if your game breaks no rule.
Platforms compared
| Platform | Model | Platform cut | Main risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patreon | Subscription | 10% for new creators (5–12% on legacy plans) + processing | Strict adult content rules, account bans |
| SubscribeStar | Subscription | About 5% + processing | Smaller audience, no one-time store |
| itch.io | One-time / pay what you want | You choose, 10% by default + processing | Paid adult pages hidden or delayed since 2025 |
| Steam | One-time | 30% (lower above high revenue thresholds) | Review rejections, removals tied to processor rules |
| DLsite | One-time | Roughly 30–45% depending on price and publishing setup | Japanese-first market and back office |
| Nutaku | Mostly free-to-play | Negotiated, publishing by application | Selective, suits F2P designs best |
| DuskPlay | One-time, DRM-free | Discussed with each creator during early access | New store, launching with a curated catalogue |
Platform cuts never include payment processing. For adult content, processing through high-risk processors typically costs more than standard card fees, which is why adult-only stores rarely match general stores on percentage alone.
How to choose
If your game is still in development
Keep a subscription platform for funding. Patreon has the biggest audience; SubscribeStar is more tolerant of adult content. Release older builds publicly to build an audience.
If your game is finished
Sell it as a one-time purchase on at least two stores. Players who never subscribe are a different audience from your Patreon members, and a finished game keeps selling for years.
In every case
- Own your audience: a mailing list or Discord survives any platform ban.
- Keep your builds and assets backed up outside any platform.
- Read each store's content rules before uploading: rules on themes and character ages differ and are enforced strictly.
Where DuskPlay fits
DuskPlay is a DRM-free store dedicated to adult indie games, built around one-time purchases. We handle the storefront, payments and support, and we're onboarding a small group of Founding Creators before launch. If your game is finished or close to it, tell us about it.
FAQ
Can I still sell a paid adult game on itch.io?
Possibly, but paid adult pages have been coming back slowly since July 2025 and many remain hidden from search. Even if your page is live, you lose most of the discovery traffic that used to come from adult tags.
Why do payment processors keep blocking adult games?
Visa and Mastercard rules treat adult content as high-risk, and general processors like Stripe and PayPal choose not to support it. Stores that rely on them have to restrict adult content to keep processing payments for everything else.
Should I sell on several platforms at once?
Usually yes. Relying on one store is how many creators lost most of their income in 2025. A subscription platform for development plus one or two stores for one-time sales spreads the risk.