independent game marketplace

itch.io

An independent digital marketplace for indie games, game jams, tools, assets, zines, and pay-what-you-want creator distribution. itch.io scores well because the model leaves more value with stakeholders and the institution is less hostile to people with weak bargaining power, though ideological disavowal still limits the evaluation.

Why this matters: itch.io is a strong good-games alternative: unusually creator-friendly market conduct, low lock-in, and public access for small developers, though not democratically owned.

Letter grade A Good Medium confidence (AI) Rubric gcd-rubric-v1 Last reviewed May 7, 2026

Final Score 52* A - Good

AGOOD52 pts

* Tentative scaffolding score. Not human-checked or final.

Base Material47

Bonus+6

Cap66No structure cap

After Cap53

Penalties-1

!Not Verified

Represent this organization?

Request verification to have the evidence record checked against primary materials and organization-supplied documents. Verification does not buy a higher score; scores change only when review finds factual errors, omissions, or miscalibration.

Request verification

Evaluation Overview

A - Good

The score turns mainly on Extraction, with the largest penalty coming from Ideological Disavowal.

Strengths

Extraction7/10
Ownership5/10
Governance5/10

Penalties

Ideological Disavowal-1

Evidence state

ConfidenceMedium confidence (AI)
ThoroughnessDeveloped (AI)
Linked claims7
Direct axis claims6
Coverage6/13

Scoring Axes

Axis	Score	Why this score
Ownership ? Control rights: shareholder-dominated at 0, worker cooperative control at 10.	5 / 10	itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance. itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance. That places itch.io in the middle of Ownership: there is some mission, member, producer, or public-interest constraint, but decisive control is not fully democratic. The value stays below the top tier because the linked record does not show full democratic control, non-extractive lock-in, or complete stakeholder protection on this axis. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Toy, video-game, tabletop, and game-retail expansion; compare against Nintendo, Valve, Sony, Microsoft, Disney, GameStop, Hasbro, LEGO, Roblox, itch.io, Green Toys, PlanToys, and The Game Crafter. Uncertainty Focused category expansion based on public sources; a later pass should add more jurisdiction-specific labor, supply-chain, privacy, and product-safety evidence. Linked evidence itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance. [1] context itch.io gives independent creators a marketplace for games, assets, jams, and pay-what-you-want distribution. [2] context itch.io’s open revenue-share and creator-first design describes conduct considered under Calculation compared with major platform stores. [3]
Governance ? Binding decision authority: centralized control at 0, democratic stakeholder control at 10.	5 / 10	itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance. itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance. That places itch.io in the middle of Governance: there are accountability mechanisms, but they stop short of broad democratic control. The value stays below the top tier because the linked record does not show full democratic control, non-extractive lock-in, or complete stakeholder protection on this axis. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Toy, video-game, tabletop, and game-retail expansion; compare against Nintendo, Valve, Sony, Microsoft, Disney, GameStop, Hasbro, LEGO, Roblox, itch.io, Green Toys, PlanToys, and The Game Crafter. Uncertainty Focused category expansion based on public sources; a later pass should add more jurisdiction-specific labor, supply-chain, privacy, and product-safety evidence. Linked evidence context itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance. [1] context itch.io gives independent creators a marketplace for games, assets, jams, and pay-what-you-want distribution. [2] context itch.io’s open revenue-share and creator-first design describes conduct considered under Calculation compared with major platform stores. [3]
Extraction ? Surplus allocation, wage share, CEO pay ratio, margins, and structured extraction judgment.	7 / 10	itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance. itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance. That places itch.io in the middle of Extraction: the institution creates real value but still leaves room for rent extraction, unequal bargaining, or surplus capture. The value stays below the top tier because the linked record does not show full democratic control, non-extractive lock-in, or complete stakeholder protection on this axis. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Toy, video-game, tabletop, and game-retail expansion; compare against Nintendo, Valve, Sony, Microsoft, Disney, GameStop, Hasbro, LEGO, Roblox, itch.io, Green Toys, PlanToys, and The Game Crafter. Uncertainty Focused category expansion based on public sources; a later pass should add more jurisdiction-specific labor, supply-chain, privacy, and product-safety evidence. Linked evidence context itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance. [1] context itch.io gives independent creators a marketplace for games, assets, jams, and pay-what-you-want distribution. [2] context itch.io’s open revenue-share and creator-first design describes conduct considered under Calculation compared with major platform stores. [3]
Labor Sovereignty ? Worker power: coercive conditions at 0, co-determination or ownership at 7. Employee dissatisfaction matters only when source-backed evidence shows concrete limits on worker agency, such as coercive scheduling, retaliation, wage theft, harassment, unsafe conditions, suppression of worker voice, or extreme turnover.	5 / 7	itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance. itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance. That places itch.io in the middle of Labor Sovereignty: workers or participants have some protection or agency, but not enough binding power to control the relationship. The value stays below the top tier because the linked record does not show full democratic control, non-extractive lock-in, or complete stakeholder protection on this axis. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Toy, video-game, tabletop, and game-retail expansion; compare against Nintendo, Valve, Sony, Microsoft, Disney, GameStop, Hasbro, LEGO, Roblox, itch.io, Green Toys, PlanToys, and The Game Crafter. Uncertainty Focused category expansion based on public sources; a later pass should add more jurisdiction-specific labor, supply-chain, privacy, and product-safety evidence. Linked evidence context itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance. [1] context itch.io gives independent creators a marketplace for games, assets, jams, and pay-what-you-want distribution. [2] context itch.io’s open revenue-share and creator-first design describes conduct considered under Calculation compared with major platform stores. [3]
Solidarity with the Unemployed ? Treatment of exits and nonworkers, including severance, redeployment, and non-competes.	5 / 7	itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance. itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance. That places itch.io in the middle of Solidarity with the Unemployed: some access, severance, retraining, openness, or mutual-aid value is present, but it is not central or durable. The value stays below the top tier because the linked record does not show full democratic control, non-extractive lock-in, or complete stakeholder protection on this axis. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Toy, video-game, tabletop, and game-retail expansion; compare against Nintendo, Valve, Sony, Microsoft, Disney, GameStop, Hasbro, LEGO, Roblox, itch.io, Green Toys, PlanToys, and The Game Crafter. Uncertainty Focused category expansion based on public sources; a later pass should add more jurisdiction-specific labor, supply-chain, privacy, and product-safety evidence. Linked evidence context itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance. [1] context itch.io gives independent creators a marketplace for games, assets, jams, and pay-what-you-want distribution. [2] context itch.io’s open revenue-share and creator-first design describes conduct considered under Calculation compared with major platform stores. [3]
Loss-Bearing Fidelity ? Willingness to absorb costs to preserve values, workers, users, and public obligations.	5 / 7	itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance. itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance. That places itch.io in the middle of Loss-Bearing Fidelity: there is some willingness to preserve obligations, but the record still leaves meaningful risk-shifting concerns. The value stays below the top tier because the linked record does not show full democratic control, non-extractive lock-in, or complete stakeholder protection on this axis. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Toy, video-game, tabletop, and game-retail expansion; compare against Nintendo, Valve, Sony, Microsoft, Disney, GameStop, Hasbro, LEGO, Roblox, itch.io, Green Toys, PlanToys, and The Game Crafter. Uncertainty Focused category expansion based on public sources; a later pass should add more jurisdiction-specific labor, supply-chain, privacy, and product-safety evidence. Linked evidence context itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance. [1] context itch.io gives independent creators a marketplace for games, assets, jams, and pay-what-you-want distribution. [2] context itch.io’s open revenue-share and creator-first design describes conduct considered under Calculation compared with major platform stores. [3]
Market Conduct ? Pricing fairness, switching costs, lock-in, and rent extraction.	5 / 5	itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance. itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance. That places itch.io high on Market Conduct: pricing, access, switching, and bargaining practices show restraint compared with ordinary rent-seeking competitors. A still-higher or maximum value requires stronger proof that this structure is durable, broad, and not merely discretionary. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Toy, video-game, tabletop, and game-retail expansion; compare against Nintendo, Valve, Sony, Microsoft, Disney, GameStop, Hasbro, LEGO, Roblox, itch.io, Green Toys, PlanToys, and The Game Crafter. Uncertainty Focused category expansion based on public sources; a later pass should add more jurisdiction-specific labor, supply-chain, privacy, and product-safety evidence. Linked evidence context itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance. [1] context itch.io gives independent creators a marketplace for games, assets, jams, and pay-what-you-want distribution. [2] context itch.io’s open revenue-share and creator-first design describes conduct considered under Calculation compared with major platform stores. [3]
Product Integrity ? Preservation of quality rather than degradation for monetization.	5 / 5	itch.io gives independent creators a marketplace for games, assets, jams, and pay-what-you-want distribution. itch.io gives independent creators a marketplace for games, assets, jams, and pay-what-you-want distribution. That places itch.io high on Product Integrity: the core offering is genuinely useful and comparatively less dependent on traps, degradation, or harmful dependencies. A still-higher or maximum value requires stronger proof that this structure is durable, broad, and not merely discretionary. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Toy, video-game, tabletop, and game-retail expansion; compare against Nintendo, Valve, Sony, Microsoft, Disney, GameStop, Hasbro, LEGO, Roblox, itch.io, Green Toys, PlanToys, and The Game Crafter. Uncertainty Focused category expansion based on public sources; a later pass should add more jurisdiction-specific labor, supply-chain, privacy, and product-safety evidence. Linked evidence context itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance. [1] itch.io gives independent creators a marketplace for games, assets, jams, and pay-what-you-want distribution. [2] context itch.io’s open revenue-share and creator-first design describes conduct considered under Calculation compared with major platform stores. [3]
Scale Integrity ? Whether growth improves or degrades fairness and accountability.	5 / 5	itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Toy, video-game, tabletop, and game-retail expansion; compare against Nintendo, Valve, Sony, Microsoft, Disney, GameStop, Hasbro, LEGO, Roblox, itch.io, Green Toys, PlanToys, and The Game Crafter. Uncertainty Focused category expansion based on public sources; a later pass should add more jurisdiction-specific labor, supply-chain, privacy, and product-safety evidence. Linked evidence context itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance. [1] context itch.io gives independent creators a marketplace for games, assets, jams, and pay-what-you-want distribution. [2] context itch.io’s open revenue-share and creator-first design describes conduct considered under Calculation compared with major platform stores. [3]

Penalties

Penalty	Applied	Why this penalty
Ideological Disavowal ? Concealed ideology presented as neutrality, expertise, professional necessity, public-service administration, market inevitability, or non-ideological common sense while exercising power. Range: -3 to 0.	-1	itch.io's public framing is assessed as ideological-disavowal evidence because itch.io shows bounded neutrality theater: some contested choices are softened through expertise,… itch.io's public framing is assessed as ideological-disavowal evidence because itch.io shows bounded neutrality theater: some contested choices are softened through expertise, public-interest, professional, market, safety, or institutional language, but the record does not show dominant concealment of standpoint. That warrants a limited Ideological Disavowal penalty because the institution presents situated, contested choices as neutrality, expertise, inevitability, safety, or common sense. The value is limited because the linked record shows a real problem but not one that dominates the profile on this axis. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Ideological Disavowal 0 to -3 recalibration: 0 for explicit standpoint or no penalty-level neutrality theater; -1 for bounded softening of contested choices; -2 for strong neutrality theater by a powerful institution; -3 for major gatekeeping or coercive power presented as neutral, necessary, objective, or non-ideological. Uncertainty This recalibration uses public self-presentation and profile evidence; later review should add direct language-analysis evidence for high-impact institutions. Linked evidence itch.io's public framing is assessed as ideological-disavowal evidence because itch.io shows bounded neutrality theater: some contested choices are softened through expertise, public-interest, professional, market, safety, or institutional language, but the record does not show dominant concealment of standpoint. [7]

Bonus Credits

Bonus	Credit	Why this credit
Openness to Dissent ? Credit for tolerating internal, user, customer, worker, and public dissent without retaliation, capture, or viewpoint laundering.	2 / 3	itch.io’s open revenue-share and creator-first design describes conduct considered under Openness to Dissent compared with major platform stores. itch.io’s open revenue-share and creator-first design describes conduct considered under Openness to Dissent compared with major platform stores. That supports partial Openness to Dissent credit because people can criticize, dissent, or challenge the institution without being managed into silence. The value remains partial because the linked record does not show the practice as comprehensive, durable, or central enough for full credit. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Toy, video-game, tabletop, and game-retail expansion; compare against Nintendo, Valve, Sony, Microsoft, Disney, GameStop, Hasbro, LEGO, Roblox, itch.io, Green Toys, PlanToys, and The Game Crafter. Uncertainty Focused category expansion based on public sources; a later pass should add more jurisdiction-specific labor, supply-chain, privacy, and product-safety evidence. Linked evidence itch.io’s open revenue-share and creator-first design describes conduct considered under Openness to Dissent compared with major platform stores. [4]
Good Deal ? Credit for unusually fair value: durable quality, fair pricing, low lock-in, and clear customer surplus.	2 / 3	itch.io’s open revenue-share and creator-first design describes conduct considered under Good Deal compared with major platform stores. itch.io’s open revenue-share and creator-first design describes conduct considered under Good Deal compared with major platform stores. That supports partial Good Deal credit because ordinary users receive unusually fair value, durability, access, or surplus. The value remains partial because the linked record does not show the practice as comprehensive, durable, or central enough for full credit. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Toy, video-game, tabletop, and game-retail expansion; compare against Nintendo, Valve, Sony, Microsoft, Disney, GameStop, Hasbro, LEGO, Roblox, itch.io, Green Toys, PlanToys, and The Game Crafter. Uncertainty Focused category expansion based on public sources; a later pass should add more jurisdiction-specific labor, supply-chain, privacy, and product-safety evidence. Linked evidence itch.io’s open revenue-share and creator-first design describes conduct considered under Good Deal compared with major platform stores. [5]
Cost Transparency ? Credit for clear posted prices, all-in fees, unit costs, public rate cards, margin/cost visibility, or surplus-allocation transparency, especially in markets where opaque quotes, hidden fees, or individualized pricing are normal.	2 / 3	itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance. itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance. That supports partial Cost Transparency credit because pricing, margins, fees, funding, or surplus allocation are made meaningfully legible. The value remains partial because the linked record does not show the practice as comprehensive, durable, or central enough for full credit. Calibration notes Comparative anchor: Toy, video-game, tabletop, and game-retail expansion; compare against Nintendo, Valve, Sony, Microsoft, Disney, GameStop, Hasbro, LEGO, Roblox, itch.io, Green Toys, PlanToys, and The Game Crafter. Uncertainty Focused category expansion based on public sources; a later pass should add more jurisdiction-specific labor, supply-chain, privacy, and product-safety evidence. Linked evidence itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance. [6]

Confidence Basis

Confidence is computed from the evidence trail and review state, not typed into the profile by hand.

Medium 64/100

7 verified linked claims 6 direct axis claims 0 disputed claims 6/13 components covered

This confidence label measures the source-backed evidence trail. AI-scaffolded scores remain tentative until human review.

Claim confidence 13/20

7 verified linked claims

Source quality 12/18

Best source per verified claim, weighted by institutional reliability

Direct axis-specific claims 6/18

6 direct claims across 13 active components

Dispute load 12/12

0 disputed claims on this entity

Recency 10/10

Newest accepted timestamp: May 13, 2026

Reviewer status 7/12

Human-reviewed components score higher than AI scaffolding

Component coverage 5/10

6/13 evidence-bearing components have direct support

Evidence State

Profile stateAI draft / human-pending

VerificationUnverified

ConfidenceMedium confidence (AI)

ThoroughnessDeveloped (AI)

Correction routeUse “Challenge this rating” for factual errors, missing counterevidence, source problems, or calculation mistakes.

Company responseCompany representatives can submit source-backed corrections; payment never changes scores or reviewer authority.

Claims and Sources

Claims are the evidence record. Each claim needs a source link, axis category, status, confidence level, and timestamp before it can support a score.

* Tentative scaffolding score. Not human-checked or final.

1itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance.

Ownership Verified Medium confidence AI-generated / human-pending May 7, 2026

AI scaffold

itch.io aboutOfficial self-description · 68%
itch.io creator pricing / open revenue sharingGeneral web source · 58%

2itch.io gives independent creators a marketplace for games, assets, jams, and pay-what-you-want distribution.

Product Integrity Verified Medium confidence AI-generated / human-pending May 7, 2026

AI scaffold

itch.io aboutOfficial self-description · 68%
itch.io creator pricing / open revenue sharingGeneral web source · 58%

3itch.io’s open revenue-share and creator-first design describes conduct considered under Calculation compared with major platform stores.

Calculation Verified Medium confidence AI-generated / human-pending May 7, 2026

AI scaffold

itch.io browse gamesGeneral web source · 58%

4itch.io’s open revenue-share and creator-first design describes conduct considered under Openness to Dissent compared with major platform stores.

Openness To Dissent Verified Medium confidence AI-generated / human-pending May 7, 2026

AI scaffold

itch.io aboutOfficial self-description · 68%
itch.io creator pricing / open revenue sharingGeneral web source · 58%

5itch.io’s open revenue-share and creator-first design describes conduct considered under Good Deal compared with major platform stores.

Good Deal Verified Medium confidence AI-generated / human-pending May 7, 2026

AI scaffold

itch.io aboutOfficial self-description · 68%
itch.io creator pricing / open revenue sharingGeneral web source · 58%

6itch.io is independently/private controlled rather than worker-owned, but it avoids public shareholder governance.

Cost Transparency Verified Medium confidence AI-generated / human-pending May 7, 2026

AI scaffold

itch.io aboutOfficial self-description · 68%
itch.io creator pricing / open revenue sharingGeneral web source · 58%

7itch.io's public framing is assessed as ideological-disavowal evidence because itch.io shows bounded neutrality theater: some contested choices are softened through expertise, public-interest, professional, market, safety, or institutional language, but the record does not show dominant concealment of standpoint.

Ideological Disavowal Verified Medium confidence AI-generated / human-pending May 9, 2026

AI scaffold

itch.io official siteGeneral web source · 58%
itch.io aboutOfficial self-description · 68%
itch.io creator pricing / open revenue sharingGeneral web source · 58%

Alternatives

Competitors

AGOOD63 Future Club employee-owned cooperative game studio · same market AGOOD63 KO_OP worker-owned game studio · same market AGOOD63 Motion Twin worker cooperative game studio · same market AGOOD61 Means Interactive cooperative game publisher · same market BQUALIFIED48 ConcernedApe independent game developer and publisher · same market BQUALIFIED48 PlanToys sustainable wooden toy company · same market BQUALIFIED48 Supergiant Games independent video-game studio · same market BQUALIFIED47 Larian Studios independent video-game studio · same market

Help Improve This Profile

Submit source-backed evidence or challenge a specific claim, source, axis value, or calculation below.

How This Page Is Maintained

Evidence comes in through contributors, is checked by verifiers, and is synthesized by reviewers. Founder authority remains narrow and visible; scores recalculate when verified claims or the rubric change.

Civic Note

Incorporation, limited liability, market access, and other institutional privileges are public grants. Good Companies Directory treats those privileges as conditional on accountability to workers, users, communities, and the public.

Submit evidence for itch.io Add one source-backed fact for review.

Challenge this rating Point to a specific score, claim, source, or calculation problem.

Audit Log

Recent public changes for this company or group. The full audit log is part of the Transparency record.

No company-specific audit entries have been published yet.

View Full Audit Log