I think moving towards more erotic content, with standard porn elements, is something that often comes naturally when a company gains in popularity and does decent business. Especially when the producer wants it to be his/her main or only source of income. Over the years, several companies that eventually became big players started which much "cleaner" content, attracted attention, and gradually introduced racier stuff, which made them even more popular. It's not a new phenomenon. Some might feel that they "sold out". But, like it or not, I think it's a logical decision.
Fact is, sex sells, including among tickling fetishists. Most people enjoy or even prefer when nudity and/or obvious sexual acts are involved, mixing them with their special personal kinks. So if a producer is serious enough about his/her business and wants it to be lucrative, especially considering how unbelievably saturated and competitive this limited market has become, going the "porn" way is the obvious answer. Not that one couldn't be successful with something tamer, but I'd say it's a lot harder.
I personally find it unfortunate, and wish more producers would stick to more casual, down-to-earth tickling. To me, it makes it easier to relate to the situation and models. It's closer to what might happen in everyday life. Still, I can't blame producers for jumping on the sex wagon. If profits are important to them, then it makes perfect sense. Also, it's possible that some producers always wanted to do something more sexual, but couldn't do ti when the started because they were still too shy to approach models with it, or didn't have the contacts or finances to do it. But after they gained more experience and resources, they were finally able to do what they wanted. Whatever the case, I don't find it surprising at all.
Myself, I don't intend to ever change my approach. I wouldn't be comfortable with something more sexual, many potential candidates would be put off by it, and it would go against what my company is all about. Besides, I've always been a minor producer, and always will, so I never felt any pressure to change my ways. Not to mention that my company is just a little sideline for me. It's not my actual job.
To be fair, I do try to get as many models as possible to do tongue tickling (without forcing them), a technique than can be considered a little kinky, and possibly sexual to some extent. But that's as far as my videos go, and the fact is that some of my models have been doing it since my very first release. So things really haven't changed much.
Damn, I'm going on and on, aren't I? Why is it that I always write a novel each time I post a comment? I can't help it. I'm simply incapable of being concise. Sorry about that.