AI-Powered Brandshield Assists Itch.io in Recovery from Shutdown

Funko has issued a statement regarding the temporary suspension of the Itch.io platform, allegedly triggered by its brand protection software. Let's delve into Funko's response. Funko Clarifies: No Request for Full Itch.io Takedown

Private Discussions with Itch.io Underway

Funko's official X (formerly Twitter) account addressed the situation, emphasizing their "deep respect and appreciation for indie games, gamers, and developers." They acknowledged that their brand protection partner, BrandShield, flagged an Itch.io page mimicking the Funko Fusion development website, leading to a takedown request. However, Funko stressed they did not request a complete platform shutdown and expressed relief at Itch.io's swift restoration.

Funko confirmed direct communication with Itch.io to resolve the matter, and thanked the gaming community for their understanding while details are clarified.

Itch.io's owner, Leaf, provided further context on Hacker News, revealing the takedown stemmed from a "fraud and phishing report," not merely a simple takedown request. This report impacted both the hosting and registration services, resulting in the domain's automatic suspension despite Leaf's immediate action. Leaf's post also notably omits mention of Funko's reported contact with his mother concerning the incident.

For more detailed information on the Itch.io shutdown, please refer to Game8's previous coverage.