Indie horror game Horses is facing a critical setback as Valve's Steam has banned the title, jeopardizing the future of its developing studio, Santa Ragione. Set to launch on December 2 on multiple platforms like Epic Games Store, GOG, and Itch.io, the ban stems from an unclear rejection process that has left the developers frustrated after two years of attempts to communicate with Valve. The game's content, which is intended to explore themes of familial trauma and totalitarian power through unsettling portrayals, has faced scrutiny despite all characters being over 20 years old. While other platforms accepted the game without issues, the Steam ban threatens the financial stability of Santa Ragione, which has heavily invested in the project and now faces the risk of closure. With no clear explanation from Valve, the developers advocate for transparency in content policies, emphasizing the importance of allowing adult-oriented artistic expressions in gaming.

Why was the game Horses banned from Steam?

The game Horses was banned from Steam due to an unclear rejection process without specific feedback from Valve, which the developers believe might relate to the game's unconventional content and its themes addressing societal structures. Despite reassurances that the characters depicted are all over the age of 20, Valve has not provided clear grounds for the ban.

Horses is an avant-garde horror game developed by Santa Ragione, known for their previous titles like Saturnalia and Mediterranea Inferno, which have garnered recognition for their artistic storytelling. This game features disturbing imagery as players navigate a twisted narrative involving human characters wearing horse masks, confronting themes of power dynamics and trauma. Santa Ragione has consistently pushed the boundaries of gaming as an artistic medium, aiming to challenge players' perceptions and responses through provocative content.