What is *Horses* about?
*Horses* is a first-person horror game where you play as a farmhand at a ranch where the 'horses' are humans wearing horse masks.
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Gaming / Indie
Controversial Horror Game 'Horses' Banned from Steam and Epic Games Store
The indie horror game *Horses*, developed by Santa Ragione, has faced a series of bans from major PC game storefronts, including Steam and the Epic Games Store. The game's unsettling themes and imagery have led to content policy violations,...
Key Insights
- *Horses* was initially banned from Steam due to concerns over depictions of sexual conduct involving a minor, a claim the studio denies.
- Epic Games Store banned the game shortly before its release, citing violations of 'Inappropriate Content' and 'Hateful or Abusive Content' policies.
- Humble initially delisted *Horses* but later relisted it after a review, determining that the content, while heavy, didn't warrant removal.
- The bans have placed Santa Ragione in a precarious financial situation, potentially leading to studio closure if the game doesn't recoup development costs.
- GOG has expressed support for *Horses*, offering it a home on their platform.
In-Depth Analysis
### Background *Horses* is a first-person horror adventure that explores themes of familial trauma, puritan values, totalitarian power dynamics, and personal responsibility. The game features grotesque imagery, including nude humans in horse masks treated as livestock.
### Content Concerns Steam's initial rejection in 2023 stemmed from a scene involving a child 'riding' one of the horses (humans in masks). Santa Ragione has since altered the scene to feature an adult character. Epic Games Store cited broader content guideline violations without specifying the exact issues.
### Platform Responses Valve stated they provided feedback to Santa Ragione regarding the reasons for the ban, but the studio claims the reasoning was vague and unfounded. Epic Games Store's decision appears to have been influenced by the increased attention the game received after the Steam ban. GOG has publicly supported the game, while Humble initially delisted before relisting.
### Impact on Santa Ragione The bans have significantly impacted Santa Ragione's ability to secure funding and find a publisher. The studio faces potential closure if *Horses* does not achieve commercial success. The situation raises questions about the power of storefronts to censor artistic expression and the need for clearer content policies and appeal processes.
### Where to Buy Despite the controversy, *Horses* is available on Humble?ref=yanuki.com, itch.io?ref=yanuki.com, and GOG?ref=yanuki.com.
FAQ
Why was *Horses* banned from Steam?
Steam cited concerns about depictions of sexual conduct involving a minor, which Santa Ragione disputes.
Why was *Horses* banned from the Epic Games Store?
Epic Games Store cited violations of 'Inappropriate Content' and 'Hateful or Abusive Content' policies, without providing specific details.
Where can I buy *Horses*?
*Horses* is currently available on Humble, itch.io, and GOG.
Takeaways
- The *Horses* controversy highlights the challenges indie developers face in navigating content policies of major storefronts.
- The lack of clear communication and appeal processes can have significant financial consequences for small studios.
- Despite the bans, *Horses* is still available for purchase on alternative platforms, offering players the opportunity to experience the game.
Discussion
Do you think storefronts should have the right to ban games based on content? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!
Sources
Horses, the Upsetting Horror Game Previously Banned on Steam, Gets Last Minute Ban From Epic Games Store Too
Valve responds as indie horror studio accuses Steam of 'censorship' for banning its game about nude human 'Horses' (Update)
An unsettling indie game about horses keeps getting banned from stores
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