Twitch, a leading live streaming platform, has a set of rules to ensure content is appropriate for a broad audience. Among the regulations, certain games are banned from broadcast. These games typically contain content that violates Twitch’s community guidelines. Content may include hate speech, excessive violence, nudity, and portrayals of sex that go beyond the platform’s allowed standards.
The platform relies on the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) ratings to help decide which games are suitable for streaming. Games rated Adults Only by ESRB are generally not allowed. Twitch may also ban games if they’re unrated but still contain prohibited content. The list of prohibited games is not fixed; it evolves as new titles are released and as existing games are updated. Streamers are advised to stay informed of any changes to avoid any potential violations.
Games Banned on Twitch
If you’re planning to stream on Twitch, one of the most important things to understand is which games are prohibited. Streaming a banned title can result in content removal, account suspension, or other penalties.
This guide explains:
- ✅ How Twitch decides which games are banned
- ✅ What “Prohibited Games” means
- ✅ The current list of restricted titles
- ✅ What happens if you stream one
- ✅ How to stay safe as a creator
How Twitch Decides Which Games Are Banned
Twitch restricts games based on two primary criteria:
1️⃣ The Game Has an ESRB Rating of Adults Only (AO)
Any title officially rated Adults Only (18+) by the ESRB is prohibited from broadcast on Twitch.
However:
✅ Alternate versions of Adults Only titles that have an ESRB rating of Mature (M) or lower are permitted.
For example:
- Mature versions of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
- Mature versions of Fahrenheit: Indigo Prophecy
These are allowed because they do not carry the AO rating.
2️⃣ The Game Violates Twitch Community Guidelines
Even if a game is not rated Adults Only, it can still be banned if it contains content that violates Twitch’s Community Guidelines.
This includes games that feature:
- Hate speech
- Sexual content or nudity
- Pornographic content
- Gratuitous gore
- Extreme violence
- Sexual violence
- Exploitative themes
Twitch may restrict a game if:
- One single element is sufficiently extreme (e.g., explicit sexual content)
- Multiple elements combined violate policy
What About Unrated Games?
If a game:
- Is not rated by the ESRB, and
- Does not have a clearly comparable rated title
Then Twitch’s moderation team reviews it and determines whether it violates the Community Guidelines.
Game reviews are often triggered by community reports.
What Happens If You Stream a Prohibited Game?
If you broadcast gameplay from a banned title:
- Your account can be reported using the “Prohibited Game” report option.
- You may receive a temporary suspension.
- Repeated violations could lead to stronger enforcement actions.
Important:
Attempting to bypass the rule (for example, by selecting a different game category in the Creator Dashboard) does NOT exempt you from enforcement.
Twitch also removes prohibited games from the category selector, making them unavailable for stream listing.
List of Prohibited Games on Twitch
Below is the current non-exhaustive list of prohibited titles that do not carry an Adults Only rating but are banned due to policy violations.
🔞 Prohibited Games Without an Adults-Only Rating
- 3DXChat
- All Randomized Video Chat Platforms
- Artificial Girl 1, 2, & 3
- Artificial Academy 1 & 2
- Battle Rape
- BMX XXX
- Cobra Club
- Criminal Girls
- Cuckold Simulator
- Dramatical Murder
- Ethnic Cleansing
- Genital Jousting
- Grezzo 1 & 2
- Harem Party
- House Party
- HunieCam Studio
- HuniePop 1 & 2
- Kamidori Alchemy Meister
- Negligee
- Porno Studio Tycoon
- Purin to Ohuro
- Purino Party
- Radiator 2
- RapeLay
- Rinse and Repeat
- Sakura Angels
- Sakura Beach 1 & 2
- Sakura Dungeon
- Sakura Fantasy
- Sakura Santa
- Sakura Spirit
- Sakura Swim Club
- Second Life
- Suck My Dick or Die!
- The Guy Game
- The Maiden Rape Assault: Violent Semen Inferno
- What’s Under Your Blanket!?
- Witch Trainer
- Yandere Simulator
⚠️ Note: This is a non-exhaustive list. Games may be added or removed if ESRB ratings change or if content updates bring a game into compliance (or out of it).
Are Adult Games Automatically Banned?
Not necessarily.
The key distinction is the ESRB rating and content severity.
- ✅ Mature (M) games are allowed (e.g., GTA V, The Witcher 3)
- ❌ Adults Only (AO) games are banned
- ❌ Unrated games that contain extreme sexual content, hate content, or explicit violence may be banned
Can You Stream Modded Games?
Be cautious.
Even if a game is allowed, certain mods may introduce:
- Explicit nudity
- Sexual content
- Extreme gore
If modded content violates Twitch guidelines, you can still face enforcement — even if the base game is permitted.
How to Check If a Game Is Safe to Stream
Before streaming a new or questionable title:
- ✅ Check the ESRB rating.
- ✅ Review Twitch’s Community Guidelines (Gaming Content section).
- ✅ Search Twitch categories to see if it exists.
- ✅ Look at whether other streamers are broadcasting it safely.
- ✅ Avoid adult patches or explicit mods.
If unsure, err on the side of caution.
Final Thoughts
Twitch bans games primarily for:
- Adults Only (AO) ratings
- Explicit sexual content
- Hate speech
- Extreme or exploitative violence
While most mainstream titles are safe, certain adult-themed or sexually explicit games are strictly prohibited.
If you’re serious about streaming, protecting your account should always come first. When in doubt, choose a safer title.
For the most up-to-date information, review the Gaming Content section of Twitch’s Community Guidelines, as the prohibited games list is regularly updated.
Key Takeaways
- Twitch bans certain games based on their content and ESRB ratings.
- Prohibited content includes excessive violence, hate speech, and adult themes.
- The list of banned games is updated regularly to reflect content changes in games.
Understanding Twitch’s Community Guidelines and Banned Games
Twitch maintains specific standards to ensure its platform remains safe and inclusive. Games that fail to meet these guidelines are restricted from live streaming.
Twitch Community Guidelines Overview
Twitch sets rules that all streamers must follow. These rules help keep the platform safe. The Twitch Community Guidelines cover a wide range of behaviors. For example, they ban illegal activity, threats, and hate speech. Streamers need to understand these rules to avoid penalties like suspensions or bans.
List of Prohibited Games on Twitch
Not all games can be streamed on Twitch. Some titles are banned because they contain content against Twitch’s rules. This includes games with extreme violence, sexual content, or hate speech. Games that have an “Adults Only” rating by the ESRB are also banned. However, some adult-rated games are allowed if they have been edited to meet the “Mature” rating.
Content Criteria for Game Bans
Twitch decides if a game is too extreme to stream. The criteria include the game’s ESRB rating and its content. Visual novels with nudity, games promoting hate, or titles known for extreme violence will often be banned. First-time offenders might get a warning. Repeated violations can lead to a permanent ban from the platform. Streamers can adjust their stream’s maturity setting to warn viewers of mature content when it complies with the guidelines.
