On December 2, Santa Ragione, an Italian game development studio, is set to unveil its latest project, Horses. This first-person horror adventure delves into complex themes such as familial trauma, puritanical values, the dynamics of totalitarian power, and the ethics surrounding personal responsibility. The game employs what the studio describes as grotesque, subversive imagery, set against the backdrop of a ranch where nude individuals don horse masks and are treated akin to livestock.
Recognition and Challenges
Prior to its release, Horses has garnered attention at various prestigious events, including IndieCade, Day of the Devs, SXSW Sydney showcases, and exhibitions at SFMOMA. Despite its upcoming availability for on platforms such as Epic Games Store, GOG, Itch.io, and the Humble Store, Santa Ragione faces a precarious future. The studio revealed that it is at risk of closure following a ban from Steam, which occurred after the game was submitted for listing in June 2023. Valve’s email cited concerns over content that it deemed to depict sexual conduct involving a minor.
In a detailed FAQ regarding the launch of Horses, Santa Ragione shared the full text of the email received from Steam, highlighting the lack of clarity in Steam’s onboarding documentation and content guidelines. The studio noted that Valve directed them to these guidelines repeatedly, yet they did not mention any options for resubmission or appeal regarding game review decisions.
Content Concerns and Industry Standards
When asked about the appropriateness of objections to a particular scene, studio co-founder Riva expressed that while he does not perceive the scene as sexual, he acknowledges the rationale behind the objection to the juxtaposition of a young girl riding on the shoulders of a nude, leashed woman. He clarified that the daughter model used in the initial submission was merely a placeholder, as the character art for the game’s protagonists was still in development at that time.
While Epic Games’ content guidelines share similarities with Steam’s, Riva mentioned that the only issues raised by Epic regarding Horses involved visible nudity in screenshots, which the studio promptly censored for the store listing. However, the contentious scene in question was not included in external builds until late 2024, suggesting it may have been absent from the indie showcases where the game received accolades.
Impact of the Ban
Steam’s policy of ‘no second chances’ remains undisclosed until it is enacted, leading to speculation about its rationale. The studio posits that if a game is rejected for depictions of child exploitation, it may be prudent to prevent its creators from repeatedly testing the boundaries of acceptability. However, concerns arise regarding the consistency of this standard, particularly when comparing Horses to other titles like Blue Archive, which features eroticized imagery of childlike characters without facing similar scrutiny.
In a press release, Santa Ragione lamented the loss of access to a platform that accounts for over 75% of PC game sales, which has significantly hindered their ability to secure a publisher. Although the studio has allocated funds for six months of post-launch support for Horses, they have indicated that operations will likely wind down following the game’s release, with closure looming on the horizon.
The studio has emphasized that the ban on Horses is not related to recent restrictions on adult content imposed by payment processors, asserting that the decision was solely made by Steam’s curatorial team. They have characterized this action as an instance of moralizing censorship, asserting that games are an artistic medium and that lawful works for adults should remain accessible. Santa Ragione advocates for the right of players to choose what to engage with, arguing that artistic visions should not be stifled by the opaque decisions of a monopolistic platform.
As the gaming community anticipates the release of Horses, the conversation surrounding artistic freedom and platform policies continues to evolve, raising important questions about the future of independent game development.
