In a notable turn of events within the gaming industry, the horror adventure game Horses faced rejection from Steam after its submission in 2023. The platform cited concerns regarding “content that appears, in our judgment, to depict sexual conduct involving a minor.” Developer Santa Ragione has countered this assertion, maintaining that the scene in question was not sexual in nature and has since been altered to feature an adult character. Despite these changes, Valve has opted not to re-evaluate the game.
Alternative Platforms Embrace Horses
While Horses remains unavailable on Steam, it is poised to launch on other digital storefronts, including the Epic Games Store and the Humble Store. Notably, GOG has publicly expressed its support for the game, stating, “We’re proud to give Horses a home on GOG, giving players another way to enjoy the game.” This announcement has been met with enthusiasm from some quarters, as GOG encourages pre-orders for the title.
However, the response to GOG’s support has not been without controversy. Many commenters have drawn parallels to the treatment of another game, Devotion, a Taiwanese horror title that faced significant backlash after a controversial joke about Chinese President Xi Jinping was discovered in its artwork. Following the uproar, Devotion was removed from Steam, and its publisher faced severe repercussions, including the revocation of its business license.
GOG’s recent post promoting Horses has sparked discussions among users, with some expressing disappointment over the platform’s previous handling of Devotion. One user remarked, “Should’ve shown this energy for Red Candle’s Devotion. I love GOG, but I still feel disappointed over that.” Another chimed in, “Never mind the horse, let’s talk about the elephant in the room,” highlighting the ongoing discourse surrounding content moderation in the gaming industry.
Despite its absence from major storefronts like Steam and GOG, Devotion remains available for purchase directly from developer Red Candle Games on their website. The studio has since released the critically acclaimed Nine Sols, which is currently available on Steam, showcasing their continued commitment to creating engaging gaming experiences.
