The Impact of Funko's Action on Indie Game Platform itch.io

Details of the Incident

The message from itch.io clearly stated, "I kid you not, itch.io has been taken down by Funko of 'Funko Pop' because they use some trash 'AI Powered' Brand Protection Software called Brand Shield that created some bogus Phishing report to our registrar, iwantmyname, who ignored our response and just disabled the domain." This incident has left the gaming community in a state of uncertainty and disappointment.

One respondent suggested, "Sue them." They emphasized the loss of revenue due to the downtime. As someone who hosts games on itch.io, they expressed their frustration with this nonsense. Another added, "Itch should sue Funko, their registrar, and the BrandShield for loss of business on behalf of their own interests and the interest of their users, developers, and buyers. Because this is something that not only affects itch, but also everyone that hosts jams and releases software and games on there."

Recent Announcement by itch.io

Itch.io recently made a significant announcement. They now require developers to disclose whether generative AI has been used in their work. In a statement, the platform detailed its new tagging requirement, specifying that it is a required field for asset creator pages "to ensure buyers are aware of the origins of the material they are obtaining." This move shows itch.io's commitment to transparency and protecting the interests of its users.

As of now, itch.io remains offline, leaving developers and gamers alike waiting for a resolution. The impact of this incident on the indie game development community is yet to be fully understood, but it is clear that it has caused significant disruption.