Lauren Malone
@docmalone.bsky.social
She/Her/Hers | Black Queer Educator | Assistant Professor of Communication | indie game developer | podcast junkie | foodie
This has been one of the toughest semesters of my life, but seeing the games my students are creating is actively curing my depression 😁🥰
November 19, 2025 at 5:09 PM
This has been one of the toughest semesters of my life, but seeing the games my students are creating is actively curing my depression 😁🥰
What are we #currentlyreading, chat? I'll go first:
Black Cultural Mythology - Christel Temple
Story Mode: The Creative Writer's Guide to Narrative Video Game Design - Julialicia Case
The Ballad of Perilous Graves - Alex Jennings
Black Cultural Mythology - Christel Temple
Story Mode: The Creative Writer's Guide to Narrative Video Game Design - Julialicia Case
The Ballad of Perilous Graves - Alex Jennings
October 18, 2025 at 4:17 PM
What are we #currentlyreading, chat? I'll go first:
Black Cultural Mythology - Christel Temple
Story Mode: The Creative Writer's Guide to Narrative Video Game Design - Julialicia Case
The Ballad of Perilous Graves - Alex Jennings
Black Cultural Mythology - Christel Temple
Story Mode: The Creative Writer's Guide to Narrative Video Game Design - Julialicia Case
The Ballad of Perilous Graves - Alex Jennings
Circle of trust...tryna see something.
How much money have yall spent on mobile games' in-game currency? How long were you caught up? 😁
#gaming #mobilegames #casualgames #incrementalgames
How much money have yall spent on mobile games' in-game currency? How long were you caught up? 😁
#gaming #mobilegames #casualgames #incrementalgames
September 11, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Circle of trust...tryna see something.
How much money have yall spent on mobile games' in-game currency? How long were you caught up? 😁
#gaming #mobilegames #casualgames #incrementalgames
How much money have yall spent on mobile games' in-game currency? How long were you caught up? 😁
#gaming #mobilegames #casualgames #incrementalgames
Reposted by Lauren Malone
I’m so glad to see so many folks calling, but while I am seeing a lot of pressure on Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal, don’t forget Stripe.
The Itch team labeled them as enemy number one in this fight. Call Stripe. Wear them out!
#itchio #indiegames #stripe
The Itch team labeled them as enemy number one in this fight. Call Stripe. Wear them out!
#itchio #indiegames #stripe
July 27, 2025 at 4:57 PM
I’m so glad to see so many folks calling, but while I am seeing a lot of pressure on Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal, don’t forget Stripe.
The Itch team labeled them as enemy number one in this fight. Call Stripe. Wear them out!
#itchio #indiegames #stripe
The Itch team labeled them as enemy number one in this fight. Call Stripe. Wear them out!
#itchio #indiegames #stripe
Reposted by Lauren Malone
If censorship only affected nsfw content/porn/adult games, etc., it would still be bad and wrong, not just because it has a slippery slope effect and sets a dangerous precedent, but because erotic content and art also have value that isn't cheapened just bc it's sexual.
Censorship is bad, period.
Censorship is bad, period.
July 29, 2025 at 9:10 PM
If censorship only affected nsfw content/porn/adult games, etc., it would still be bad and wrong, not just because it has a slippery slope effect and sets a dangerous precedent, but because erotic content and art also have value that isn't cheapened just bc it's sexual.
Censorship is bad, period.
Censorship is bad, period.
Reposted by Lauren Malone
Remember that many, MANY sites that depend on Paypal, Stripe, Visa, etc because of their sheer reach.
There ARE other payment processors, but their reach is limited in comparison, and that is sometimes enough to turn away a large portion of your userbase.
(+)
There ARE other payment processors, but their reach is limited in comparison, and that is sometimes enough to turn away a large portion of your userbase.
(+)
July 30, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Remember that many, MANY sites that depend on Paypal, Stripe, Visa, etc because of their sheer reach.
There ARE other payment processors, but their reach is limited in comparison, and that is sometimes enough to turn away a large portion of your userbase.
(+)
There ARE other payment processors, but their reach is limited in comparison, and that is sometimes enough to turn away a large portion of your userbase.
(+)
Reposted by Lauren Malone
Not only is that a jaw-dropping number it's only a fraction of our power, let's turn it up
so when i was calling earlier, the mastercard supervisor mentioned something like, 8000 calls that they've gotten over the weekend. Just wanna say keep it up, keep up the good work, i'll continue to do my part. Let's make 2025 the year of not rolling over anymore
July 30, 2025 at 3:34 AM
Not only is that a jaw-dropping number it's only a fraction of our power, let's turn it up
Reposted by Lauren Malone
Idk maybe we should start calling nsfw lemons again
July 29, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Idk maybe we should start calling nsfw lemons again
Reposted by Lauren Malone
if your use of paypal is primarily as a customer or otherwise are NOT somebody that makes a living off adult work, you are the best people to pressure paypal! there is a risk of retaliation for adult creators, but if you don't have that risk, please call!
CONTACT PAYPAL:
(US): +1 (888)-221-1161
(outside US): 1-402-935-2050
Customer Service: +1 (877)-569-1116
CONTACT STRIPE:
(Headquarters): +1 (888) 963-8955
(US) 877-887-7815
(France): +33 805-11-19-67
Stripe: [email protected]
(US): +1 (888)-221-1161
(outside US): 1-402-935-2050
Customer Service: +1 (877)-569-1116
CONTACT STRIPE:
(Headquarters): +1 (888) 963-8955
(US) 877-887-7815
(France): +33 805-11-19-67
Stripe: [email protected]
July 29, 2025 at 9:10 PM
if your use of paypal is primarily as a customer or otherwise are NOT somebody that makes a living off adult work, you are the best people to pressure paypal! there is a risk of retaliation for adult creators, but if you don't have that risk, please call!
Reposted by Lauren Malone
Hey, hey authors of Indigenous, Asian, Maori, Pacific Islander, Latinx and Black heritage - Speculative Insight is looking for articles and essays!
Deets!
awolfstale.wordpress.com/2025/07/28/s...
Pls boost!
Deets!
awolfstale.wordpress.com/2025/07/28/s...
Pls boost!
Speculative Insight’s call for pitches
Speculative Insight is an amazing journal for non-fiction in the genre field. For aca-fen, this is for you! I am helping Alexandra Pierce, the editor, signal boost this upcoming call. * In Septembe…
awolfstale.wordpress.com
July 28, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Hey, hey authors of Indigenous, Asian, Maori, Pacific Islander, Latinx and Black heritage - Speculative Insight is looking for articles and essays!
Deets!
awolfstale.wordpress.com/2025/07/28/s...
Pls boost!
Deets!
awolfstale.wordpress.com/2025/07/28/s...
Pls boost!
Reposted by Lauren Malone
Steam and itch.io have removed thousands of video games in recent weeks deemed to be "adult content" in order to comply with strict rules from payment processors like Mastercard.
These policies censor artists engaged in lawful speech. Mastercard shouldn't be the gatekeepers of our digital freedom.
These policies censor artists engaged in lawful speech. Mastercard shouldn't be the gatekeepers of our digital freedom.
Why did thousands of adult titles just disappear from the biggest PC gaming marketplaces?
Digital distribution platforms Steam and itch.io have tightened their rules about adult content – under pressure from payment processors. Why has this happened and where will it lead?
www.theguardian.com
July 29, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Steam and itch.io have removed thousands of video games in recent weeks deemed to be "adult content" in order to comply with strict rules from payment processors like Mastercard.
These policies censor artists engaged in lawful speech. Mastercard shouldn't be the gatekeepers of our digital freedom.
These policies censor artists engaged in lawful speech. Mastercard shouldn't be the gatekeepers of our digital freedom.
Reposted by Lauren Malone
The first all Black women fantasy graphic novel is so close to being funded! With have 3 days to hit our goals! Check out Midnight Mystics: An Anthology of Fantasy Comics By Black Women by @burningphoenixpr.bsky.social #SDCC #IndieComics #graphicnovel #kickstarter www.kickstarter.com/projects/844...
Midnight Mystics: An Anthology of Fantasy Comics By Black W
A comic anthology featuring ten fantasy stories from Black women creators.
www.kickstarter.com
July 23, 2025 at 9:52 PM
The first all Black women fantasy graphic novel is so close to being funded! With have 3 days to hit our goals! Check out Midnight Mystics: An Anthology of Fantasy Comics By Black Women by @burningphoenixpr.bsky.social #SDCC #IndieComics #graphicnovel #kickstarter www.kickstarter.com/projects/844...
Reposted by Lauren Malone
🚨🚨🚨 BREAKING: In a dangerous evening escalation of the anti-porn war on the gaming industry, indie platform @itch.io has banned a number of NSFW titles and delisted thousands of others.
Trans authors are caught in the crossfire.
MasterCard, Visa, and anti-porn group Collective Shout drove the ban.
Trans authors are caught in the crossfire.
MasterCard, Visa, and anti-porn group Collective Shout drove the ban.
Major Indie Marketplace Itch.io Shadowbans NSFW Content, Trans Authors Impacted
A dangerous escalation against free speech and literary preservation from a longtime haven for transfeminine literature.
thetransfemininereview.com
July 24, 2025 at 6:02 AM
🚨🚨🚨 BREAKING: In a dangerous evening escalation of the anti-porn war on the gaming industry, indie platform @itch.io has banned a number of NSFW titles and delisted thousands of others.
Trans authors are caught in the crossfire.
MasterCard, Visa, and anti-porn group Collective Shout drove the ban.
Trans authors are caught in the crossfire.
MasterCard, Visa, and anti-porn group Collective Shout drove the ban.
Reposted by Lauren Malone
This itch.io kerfuffle seems like a good time to remind you that it is not and never has been a war on pornography.
It's a war on women and marginalised people to attack and remove their capacity for earning income and financial independence.
It's a war on women and marginalised people to attack and remove their capacity for earning income and financial independence.
July 24, 2025 at 9:14 AM
This itch.io kerfuffle seems like a good time to remind you that it is not and never has been a war on pornography.
It's a war on women and marginalised people to attack and remove their capacity for earning income and financial independence.
It's a war on women and marginalised people to attack and remove their capacity for earning income and financial independence.
Reposted by Lauren Malone
itch.io is changing the indexing of all adult/NSFW media on their site and are being delisted from search. Friends of mine like @tangledvirus.itch.io rely on sites like itch.io to sell their works and make a living. This will negatively affect them and other independent queer creators.
Download the latest indie games
itch.io is a simple way to find, download and distribute indie games online. Whether you're a developer looking to upload your game or just someone looking for something new to play itch.io has you co...
itch.io
July 24, 2025 at 1:37 AM
itch.io is changing the indexing of all adult/NSFW media on their site and are being delisted from search. Friends of mine like @tangledvirus.itch.io rely on sites like itch.io to sell their works and make a living. This will negatively affect them and other independent queer creators.
Reposted by Lauren Malone
I'm sure there'll be other things that pop up (such as contacting politicians and payment processors). Still, if you're concerned about the situation with itch.io, Steam, and other sites hosting adult content, I would suggest signing this petition.
action.aclu.org/petition/mas...
action.aclu.org/petition/mas...
Mastercard: Sex Work is Work. End Your Unjust Policy.
Mastercard's new policy unfairly targets the adult content industry, making sex workers more vulnerable, especially Black trans women. It must be stopped.
action.aclu.org
July 24, 2025 at 4:17 AM
I'm sure there'll be other things that pop up (such as contacting politicians and payment processors). Still, if you're concerned about the situation with itch.io, Steam, and other sites hosting adult content, I would suggest signing this petition.
action.aclu.org/petition/mas...
action.aclu.org/petition/mas...
Reposted by Lauren Malone
*deepest of sighs* so…do we have a secondary platform everyone’s moving to, or is it gonna be every dev for themself in the wake of the @itch.io stuff?
July 24, 2025 at 12:02 PM
*deepest of sighs* so…do we have a secondary platform everyone’s moving to, or is it gonna be every dev for themself in the wake of the @itch.io stuff?
Reposted by Lauren Malone
Using my #gameassets? Enjoy total freedom thanks to the CC0 license;
Donation: No requirement
Permission: No requirement
Attribution: No requirement
Commercial use: Yes!
Allowed to edit/remix: Yes!
Completely free: Yes!
Compatible game engines: All!
gameassets.com
Donation: No requirement
Permission: No requirement
Attribution: No requirement
Commercial use: Yes!
Allowed to edit/remix: Yes!
Completely free: Yes!
Compatible game engines: All!
gameassets.com
Home · Kenney
gameassets.com
June 29, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Using my #gameassets? Enjoy total freedom thanks to the CC0 license;
Donation: No requirement
Permission: No requirement
Attribution: No requirement
Commercial use: Yes!
Allowed to edit/remix: Yes!
Completely free: Yes!
Compatible game engines: All!
gameassets.com
Donation: No requirement
Permission: No requirement
Attribution: No requirement
Commercial use: Yes!
Allowed to edit/remix: Yes!
Completely free: Yes!
Compatible game engines: All!
gameassets.com
When you can’t find the bug so you turn into Sherlock Holmes retracing your steps… #bigbytegamejam #gamedev #godotengine
June 24, 2025 at 7:06 PM
When you can’t find the bug so you turn into Sherlock Holmes retracing your steps… #bigbytegamejam #gamedev #godotengine
Reposted by Lauren Malone
🚨 6 days until the BIG BYTE GAME JAM! 🚨
Level up your skills, meet dope devs, and make something epic this June. 🎮🧠
🏆 $1000+ in prizes (and counting!)
🔶 Culturally relevant jam theme
📆 June 1–29
📝 Sign up below!
🔗 itch.io/jam/big-byte...
#GameDev #IndieDev #GameJam #BlackinGaming #MGK
Level up your skills, meet dope devs, and make something epic this June. 🎮🧠
🏆 $1000+ in prizes (and counting!)
🔶 Culturally relevant jam theme
📆 June 1–29
📝 Sign up below!
🔗 itch.io/jam/big-byte...
#GameDev #IndieDev #GameJam #BlackinGaming #MGK
BiG Byte Game Jam 2025
A game jam from 2025-06-01 to 2025-07-05 hosted by Black In Gaming & Melanated Game Kitchen. Registration Form In addition to joining the game jam through itch, please fill out this registration form…
itch.io
May 26, 2025 at 7:40 PM
🚨 6 days until the BIG BYTE GAME JAM! 🚨
Level up your skills, meet dope devs, and make something epic this June. 🎮🧠
🏆 $1000+ in prizes (and counting!)
🔶 Culturally relevant jam theme
📆 June 1–29
📝 Sign up below!
🔗 itch.io/jam/big-byte...
#GameDev #IndieDev #GameJam #BlackinGaming #MGK
Level up your skills, meet dope devs, and make something epic this June. 🎮🧠
🏆 $1000+ in prizes (and counting!)
🔶 Culturally relevant jam theme
📆 June 1–29
📝 Sign up below!
🔗 itch.io/jam/big-byte...
#GameDev #IndieDev #GameJam #BlackinGaming #MGK