News & Update - Where I Currently Stand

"We should wait it out, right? After all, it can't rain all the time. I know you wanted to see me in wet clothes, dweeb. Just not today, tee-hee!"

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Oof, the news online have been crazy these past two weeks. So much so, I find it more and more difficult not to succumb to conspiracy theories : I mean, all these coordinated efforts to stamp out privacy online from different countries is rather suspicious.

But beyond the reasons behind this trend, at the moment, most of us are stuck dealing with the results of it. While I am fortunate enough to live in a country where it hasn't been implemented yet (and as far as I can tell, hasn't even been discussed yet either), I fully expect my government to fall in line with every other government sooner or later and implement a version of these invasive measures to my corner of the internet, so it's basically only a question of time.

There are ways to prepare and protect yourself if you look online. Might I suggest your first search should include the word 'oblivion' in it? Do what you will with that information.

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Itchio has been quite open in their struggle to adapt to the payment processors demands, and they are sharing whatever information they get in a very transparent manner. They confirmed that Stripe is out of the adult game business for now. They also clarified what they consider adult content based on payment processors' demands, which gives us a clearer picture of what is happening right now.

Of course, the issue will always be how those rules are interpreted, consent being a huge part of it, but also that 'force-related' line. Some of Peach Punch titles deal with EV, an acronym of words that rhyme with evotic riolence (sorry for the auto-censor, I think you know what I'm hinting at here), and EV can be framed in a multitude of ways, often linked with dubious or vague consent.

All of my characters eventually realize that they enjoy what is happening to them. But the road to that discovery could be misinterpreted by malign parties looking for easy censorship material.

I believe I have been lucky so far in being ignored by all these censorship initiatives. Part of the explanation for it is that EV of women against men is not taken as seriously as EV of men against women in our society. The clear power imbalance between women and men in real life makes it so that F-on-M EV appears improbable, thus clearly fictional, and that logic might have saved my butt more than once. At least, that's my theory.

But it is undeniable that the vise of censorship is closing in on EV and it is forcing me to consider my options. In a game such as The Bodyguard Girl Is Too Strong, Vivian is considered an adversarial force, and the situations where you could get caught and eliminated by her can be seen as game over screens that are optional and non-desirable for the player. And I think I can get away with publishing such a game if I am careful in its writing and its presentation in online marketplaces.

But I am concerned about other titles where the EV is more obviously the main draw, and where consent is a bit more muddy. Where does a character like Veronica lies, in regards to her powers of persuasion and hypnosis? Her game might have to bite the dust when the censors come for it, and I hope it won't sink my entire business at the same time. For the time being, however, it stays online.

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TD:DR : what is my reaction to this new wave of censorship?

My gut instinct is telling me to focus more on wholesome and comedic content in the future. Stuff like Don't Flex On Me Yumi-Chan or My Gym Mommy, which appear to be my most popular titles anyway.

I am unsure if I am in a position to finish an EV-centric title such as The Bodyguard Girl 2, (in which both winning or losing minigames lead to EV content and dubious consent, making it unavoidable) so this project might have to be put on ice until I assess how other devs deal with the situation, and observe if their games are banned and censored. I am keeping a close eye on the release of games such as Under Girl for that very reason.

I think I can pull off The Bodyguard Girl Deluxe if I correct course right now and tame it down a little, focusing more on the overall story and spy-themed elements. So this one stays on the table for now.

Also, I might have to diversify the marketplaces where I upload my games to sell. Should I open a seller page on other adult sites (which sometimes have ludicrously high % of revenue sharing that are disadvantaging for me as a solo dev)?

Basically, until significant changes are made to revert back to how the internet was before the last two weeks, I believe my best bet to keep Peach Punch afloat and successful is to stick to lighter fare. Like I said, my game Yumi-Chan is a good indicator of the stuff I will aim to do in the future. If this is not what you are here for, then I apologize for disappointing you.

I am but a single dude trying to create the content he enjoys, I cannot afford to take a hit from the full strong arm of the law. I hope you understand.

If you are into such more lighthearted stories, I hope you look forward to my next project ideas!

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In other news, I am starting to work on the next update for Don't Flex On Me Yumi-Chan!!! I have teased the next CG starring best girl Yumi, and now that I am in possession of the full art, I am ready to go. This one should be awesome, focusing on that bratty teasing Yumi is known for. Can't wait to show you guys what I have in store for you.

Until then, stay safe out there!