In a recent development that has stirred the indie gaming community, the horror game Horses has faced a ban from both Steam and Epic Games. Just a week after its removal from Steam, Epic Games communicated its decision to publisher Santa Ragione, stating that the game contravenes its policies regarding “inappropriate content” and “hateful or abusive content.” This notification arrived just one day before the game’s scheduled launch on Epic’s platform.
Epic’s Decision and Santa Ragione’s Response
Santa Ragione shared that they received the notification from Epic at 5 PM CET/11 AM ET on December 1. The publisher expressed disappointment, noting that Epic did not specify how Horses violated its guidelines, instead making what Santa Ragione described as “broad and demonstrably incorrect claims.” Following the ban, the publisher filed an appeal, which was swiftly rejected within 12 hours, again without further clarification.
While Epic indicated that the game could potentially be updated to meet compliance standards, Santa Ragione pointed out that the email lacked specific guidance on what changes would be necessary. With the release imminent, the feasibility of making extensive modifications was virtually nonexistent.
Industry Implications and Content Guidelines
Epic Games has historically maintained a more selective approach to the content it allows on its storefront compared to Steam, which hosts a variety of adult-oriented games. This decision reflects a broader industry trend where the balance between artistic expression and commercial viability is increasingly scrutinized. Horses does contain elements of nudity and adult themes, which may have contributed to the heightened sensitivity surrounding its release, particularly in light of ongoing pressures from major payment processors regarding adult content.
Despite the setbacks from Steam and Epic, Horses remains available on alternative platforms such as GOG, Itch.io, and the Humble Store. Initially, Humble had planned to distribute the game via Epic Store keys; however, in light of the recent developments, they opted for a DRM-free direct download approach instead.
