Activists target indie games on Itch.io through payment processors

 NEWS THIS WEEK

• Australian gamemakers level-up with major funding from Screen Australia
• SIFTER: DEATH STRANDING 2: ON THE BEACH is a messy unforgettable game that is worth playing
• Itch.io deindexes NSFW games after becoming the latest target of skittish credit card companies and anti-porn group Collective Shout, catching an award-winning indie and more in the crossfire
• Everything announced at Pokémon Presents July 2025
• Elden Ring Nightreign is adding two-player co-op
• The Battlefield 6 reveal trailer is here, and not a single helicopter is safe

RELEASE RADAR

• GROUNDED 2 - 29 July 2025 - PC, Xbox Series X|S
• TALES OF THE SHIRE: A THE LORD OF THE RINGS GAME - 30 July 2025 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch
• NINJA GAIDEN: RAGEBOUND - 31 July 2025 - PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Switch

‍Pocket Casts: You can now rate the show on Pocket Casts, give us a five star review learn more by heading here https://pocketcasts.com/ratings 

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent video games journalism. *New subscribers only. AU$9.99/month after free trial. Plan automatically renews after trial until cancelled.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Courtney Smith, Adam Christou and Chris Button. Cat Jahne is Social Producer, Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia and Apple for their support of SIFTER.