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an unsettling indie game about horses keeps An unsettling indie game titled Horses has faced multiple bans from major gaming storefronts, raising questions about content policies and the future of indie developers.

an unsettling indie game about horses keeps

Background on Horses

Horses is a first-person narrative horror game developed by Santa Ragione, a studio known for its critically acclaimed title Saturnalia. The game was initially set to launch on December 2, 2023, but just hours before its release, it was banned from the Epic Games Store. The following day, the Humble Store also removed the game shortly after it had launched, leaving the developers in shock.

The bans came as a surprise to Santa Ragione, especially since they had spent two years navigating the complexities of game distribution after being preemptively banned from Steam. Both Valve and Epic Games cited violations of their sexual content policies as the reason for the bans. Humble Store has yet to provide a specific explanation for its decision, which has left the developers feeling vulnerable and concerned about the future of their studio.

Content Policies and Developer Concerns

Santa Ragione has expressed frustration over the lack of clarity from both Epic and Valve regarding what specific content in Horses triggered the bans. The developers argue that the decisions have placed their studio in jeopardy, putting them at risk of shutting down. The situation has escalated Horses from a relatively obscure indie title to a focal point in the ongoing debate surrounding content policies, indie game distribution, and creative expression.

Steam’s Review Process

The saga of Horses began two years prior when the game was rejected during Steam’s review process without any clear explanation. In a detailed FAQ, the developers noted that Steam’s policy allows for broad discretion in rejecting titles without providing detailed reasons. In their case, they were simply informed that they could not legally distribute Horses, but no further clarification was given.

Pietro Righi Riva, one of the developers at Santa Ragione, suggested that a particular scene might have contributed to the game’s rejection. This scene involved a father and daughter visiting a ranch where the titular “horses” are depicted as humans wearing horse masks. The daughter expresses a desire to ride one of the horses, leading to an interactive dialogue sequence where the player guides a naked adult woman while a young girl is on her shoulders. Riva explained that this scene was part of a rough demo submitted to Steam to fulfill the platform’s request for a playable build.

In response to the concerns raised, the character in the scene was modified in the final build to be a twenty-something woman. Riva emphasized that this change was made not only to avoid any inappropriate implications but also because the dialogue in that scene, which addresses societal structures within the game, was more effective when delivered by an older character.

Appeals and Lack of Communication

Despite the changes made to the game, Santa Ragione claims that their requests for review and appeal were consistently denied. The studio stated, “For two years we asked for clarifications and a path to compliance, but we were directed to Steam’s general guidelines, and our requests for review and appeal were denied over and over.” This lack of communication has left the developers feeling abandoned and confused about how to proceed.

In November, after Santa Ragione announced the release date and explained why Horses would not be available on Steam, Valve finally issued a statement. They claimed that their team had played through the game and provided feedback on why it could not be released on their platform. However, the developers felt that this feedback was vague and unhelpful, as it did not provide a clear path to compliance.

Financial Implications for Santa Ragione

The ban from Steam has had dire financial consequences for Santa Ragione. The developers stated that the ban “completely erased our ability to find an external supporting publisher or partner to fund the rest of the game, as no one in the industry considers an indie game that cannot be released on Steam to be viable.” Although the team managed to continue development through investments from friends, they acknowledged that unless Horses becomes a commercial success, the studio may face closure.

Alternative Distribution Channels

In the two years since their initial ban from Steam, Santa Ragione sought alternative distribution channels for Horses. They found homes for the game on platforms like Itch.io, GOG, Humble, and the Epic Games Store. GOG, a DRM-free storefront, publicly expressed pride in hosting Horses, emphasizing their belief that players should have the freedom to choose the experiences they wish to engage with.

However, the joy of finding new platforms was short-lived. Humble Store banned Horses shortly after its launch, leaving the developers in a precarious position. The lack of clarity from Humble regarding their decision has compounded the uncertainty surrounding the game’s future.

The Impact of Epic’s Last-Minute Ban

Among the platforms that initially supported Horses, Epic Games had the most significant name recognition. The last-minute ban from Epic was particularly damaging, as it came just hours before the game’s scheduled launch. Epic cited violations of its policies on inappropriate and abusive content, as well as the restriction against distributing games rated Adults Only (AO). However, the developers pointed out that Horses had received a Mature rating (ages 17 and up) from the ESRB, which was still displayed on the game’s Epic Games Store page at the time of the ban.

Santa Ragione immediately appealed Epic’s decision through all suggested channels. They argued that the game had been available on the platform for two months prior to the ban, and the final build had been approved for release 18 days before the scheduled launch. The developers expressed confusion over the timing of the ban, suggesting that it may have been a reaction to the increasing attention the game was receiving.

Content Warnings and Controversial Themes

Santa Ragione has been transparent about the content of Horses, providing a detailed content warning on the game’s website. This warning includes mentions of physical violence, psychological abuse, gory imagery, depictions of slavery, physical and psychological torture, domestic abuse, sexual assault, suicide, and misogyny. Given the nature of these themes, it is understandable that platforms like Steam may have opted for caution in their review process.

Riva clarified that the controversial scene involving the father and daughter was not sexual in nature, but he acknowledged that the juxtaposition could have triggered a flag during the review process. The developers have criticized Steam for maintaining an opaque policy that allows them to make arbitrary decisions without clear guidelines. They believe this lack of transparency enables the platform to adjust its decisions based on whatever serves its interests at the moment.

Current Status and Future Prospects

Despite the setbacks, Horses remains available on alternative platforms, and initial reviews have been mostly positive. However, the significant power that major storefronts hold over indie games poses a substantial challenge for Santa Ragione. The combination of the Steam ban and the financial obligations to investors has placed the studio in a precarious position, leading them to state that they are in a “completely unsustainable financial situation unless the game somehow recoups its development costs.”

The situation surrounding Horses serves as a cautionary tale for indie developers navigating the complex landscape of game distribution. It highlights the challenges posed by content policies and the potential consequences of bans from major platforms. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the fate of Horses may serve as a bellwether for the future of indie games and the creative freedoms of their developers.

Source: Original report