Indie studio Santa Ragione finds itself at a critical juncture, facing the possibility of closure due to its latest project, Horses, being denied entry to Steam, the dominant platform for PC games. This decision poses a significant challenge for many developers who rely heavily on Steam as a primary sales channel.
Contentious Gameplay and Unique Concept
Horses is an ambitious first-person horror game that intertwines gameplay with live-action sequences, centering on a college student who spends a summer on a farm. However, this is no ordinary farm; the “horses” are, in fact, naked adults donning horse masks. The game is clearly intended for an adult audience, a fact underscored by its provocative trailer.
Despite the setback with Steam, Santa Ragione plans to launch Horses on alternative platforms including the Epic Games Store, GOG, Itch, and the Humble Store on December 2. Valve’s content review team, however, has firmly blocked the game from its storefront. According to Valve, the decision stemmed from concerns over content that they believed depicted sexual conduct involving a minor, a claim that Santa Ragione vehemently disputes.
Valve’s Review Process
In a statement to PC Gamer, Valve explained their review process, noting that the developer initially indicated a release date that prompted the need for a thorough examination of the game’s content. After reviewing the build, Valve communicated their concerns to Santa Ragione, which led to a request for reconsideration that ultimately resulted in a definitive rejection.
Santa Ragione expressed its commitment to challenging adult storytelling, asserting that Horses employs grotesque and subversive imagery to explore themes of power, faith, and violence. The studio criticized what it perceives as moralistic censorship, arguing that such actions stifle artistic expression and limit adult access to lawful works.
Financial Implications and Future Prospects
The repercussions of the Steam ban are dire for Santa Ragione, which claims that recouping its investment of approximately 0,000 in Horses will be exceedingly difficult. The studio initially invested ,000 of its own funds after partnering with creator Andrea Lucco Borlera, hoping to offset costs through sales of their previous title, Saturnalia. Unfortunately, that game did not perform as anticipated, further complicating their financial situation.
Attempts to generate interest through a Steam store page were thwarted when Valve requested a playable build, leading Santa Ragione to hastily assemble a version of the game that included numerous placeholders. The studio believes that an early scene involving a young girl and a character in a horse mask may have inadvertently triggered Valve’s concerns, despite the characters being clearly depicted as adults.
With the Steam ban in place, Santa Ragione has struggled to secure external publishing partnerships, ultimately resorting to raising funds from personal connections to complete the game. The studio now finds itself in a precarious financial position, reliant on the success of Horses on non-Steam platforms to sustain its operations.
Looking ahead, Santa Ragione remains committed to supporting Horses for at least six months post-launch, allocating resources for bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements. However, the future of the studio hangs in the balance, as co-founder Pietro Righi Riva candidly acknowledges the potential for closure if the game does not perform well. “All the money we earn is going to the author and to those who helped finish the project,” he stated, emphasizing the uncertainty that looms over the studio’s future endeavors.
