Original story, December 9 2024: The entirety of Itch.io was briefly taken offline earlier at present, however the web site seems to have been restored.
Reports of the location going darkish unfold after a put up on the official Itch.io BlueSky account claimed the issue was brought on by Funko, the corporate behind the collectible Funko Pop collectible figurines.
“…They use some trash ‘AI powered’ model safety software program referred to as Brand Shield that created some bogus phishing report back to our registrar, iwantmyname, who ignored our response and simply disabled the area,” the put up learn.
However, on the time of writing, the location seems to be again and absolutely purposeful, suggesting the difficulty has been remedied.
It is unclear what Funko or Brand Shield discovered on Itch.io that triggered the phishing report.
Just final month, Itch.io took a stance on AI and launched a brand new requirement that builders should declare whether or not their recreation was made utilizing any type of generative AI, whether or not for graphics, sounds, textual content, code and so forth.
Update, December 10 2024: Funko has launched a press release through X, insisting its takedown request focused a selected web page on Itch.io slightly than your entire web site.
The firm mentioned that the web page in query was “imitating the Funko Fusion improvement web site.” Funko emphasised that it “didn’t request a takedown of the Itchi.io platform, and we’re joyful the location was again up by this morning.”
Funko added the web page was recognized by one in all its model safety companions, however didn’t specify which not did it reply to Itch.io’s suggestion that it was “some trash ‘AI-powered’… software program.”
“We have reached out to Itch.io to have interaction with them on this problem and we deeply recognize the understanding of the gaming neighborhood as the main points are decided,” Funko concluded.
Meanwhile, Itch.io confirmed through its personal X account that the location had been restored, as reported by GamesIndustry.biz, and pressured that it did pull down the disputed web page upon receiving Funko’s discover.
“It’s not value combating stuff like that,” the group wrote. “Regardless, our registrar’s automated system probably kicked to disable the area since nobody learn our affirmation of removing.”
