Itch.io Archives

AppWizard

December 4, 2025

Horses, the Upsetting Horror Game Previously Banned on Steam, Gets Last Minute Ban From Epic Games Store Too

Humble has reinstated the game "Horses" on its platform after a temporary delisting for reevaluation. Developer Santa Ragione stated that the game's content, while heavy, did not warrant removal. However, Humble later decided to delist "Horses" again. The game was previously banned from Steam and Epic Games Store due to violations of content guidelines, with Epic citing "Inappropriate Content" and "Hateful or Abusive Content." Santa Ragione's appeal to Epic was denied without further explanation. The game has received attention for its unsettling premise, which critiques societal acceptance of morally horrifying actions. Despite facing bans, "Horses" is currently available on Humble, itch.io, and GOG.

AppWizard

December 4, 2025

New Horror Game Is Banned on Almost Every Major PC Storefront

A new Italian horror game, Horses, has been banned from major PC storefronts, including Steam, Epic Games Store, and Humble, due to its AO (Adults Only) rating. The developer, Santa Ragione, reported that Valve did not clearly communicate the reasons for the ban, and despite making content adjustments, Valve did not reassess the game. Epic Games Store cited the AO rating as the reason for their withdrawal of support, referencing violations of their policies on inappropriate and abusive content. Humble has not provided clarity on its reasons for the ban. Currently, Horses is available for purchase on GOG and Itch.io, where it has a user review score of 4.4 out of 5 on GOG.

AppWizard

December 2, 2025

Epic bans indie horror game Horses just one day before launch due to ‘inappropriate content’, despite having approved that content weeks ago

The horror game Horses has been banned from both Steam and Epic Games for violating policies on "inappropriate content" and "hateful or abusive content." Epic Games informed publisher Santa Ragione of the ban just one day before the game's scheduled launch on its platform, without specifying how the game violated guidelines. Santa Ragione's appeal was rejected within 12 hours, also without clarification. While Epic suggested the game could be updated to meet compliance standards, they did not provide specific guidance on necessary changes. Horses contains elements of nudity and adult themes, contributing to the sensitivity surrounding its release. Despite the bans, the game is still available on platforms like GOG, Itch.io, and the Humble Store, which shifted to a DRM-free distribution model.

AppWizard

November 30, 2025

There’s a cute voice messaging app for Playdate now

A new app named helloyellow has been developed by Jon Simantov to enhance communication among Playdate enthusiasts. It allows users to exchange voice messages, create group chats, and celebrate achievements. The app is available for free on itch.io, with limitations, or as a full version for a modest price. It operates over Wi-Fi, enabling offline message recording, which sends automatically upon reconnection. The full version permits voice messages of up to 10 minutes, while the free version limits messages to two minutes. Users connect with friends using unique hellocodes and can use an integrated emoji library for reactions.

AppWizard

November 29, 2025

CD Projekt’s PC Game Storefront GOG Gets Behind Horses After Valve Steam Ban: ‘Players Should Be Able to Choose the Experiences That Speak to Them’

CD Projekt’s GOG is supporting the indie horror game Horses after it was banned from Steam. The game is set to launch on December 2 across multiple platforms, including Epic Games Store, GOG, Itch.io, and Humble Store, but not on Steam due to Valve's decision. Valve reviewed the game earlier in 2023 and cited concerns regarding its content as the reason for the ban. GOG has launched pre-orders for Horses and is actively promoting it, emphasizing player choice and creativity. Santa Ragione, the game's developer, has called for greater transparency from Steam and improved conditions for developers in the industry.

AppWizard

November 26, 2025

Saturnalia creators Santa Ragione will “wind down operations” after Valve ban horror game Horses from Steam

Santa Ragione, the developers of Saturnalia and Wheels of Aurelia, may close their studio following Valve's refusal to list their upcoming horror game, Horses, on Steam. The rejection was based on an unfinished build submitted in 2023, deemed inappropriate due to its themes and imagery, specifically concerning content that could be interpreted as depicting sexual conduct involving a minor. Horses, which combines surreal body horror with silent cinema techniques, is set to launch on December 2nd on Epic, GOG, the Humble Store, and Itch. The developers initially submitted a rough version of Horses for Steam approval about two years ago, which was rejected after an automated review in June 2023. They have sought clarification from Valve and expressed willingness to modify any unsuitable elements but have not received a response. Santa Ragione clarified that all characters in Horses are over 20 years old and that while the game includes sexual elements, the intent is to provoke discussion rather than arousal. Having invested around 0,000 into Horses, Santa Ragione faces financial difficulties, as the anticipated funding from sales of Saturnalia did not materialize. They have raised remaining funds through private contributions, making them reliant on the success of Horses. The ban on Horses is seen as part of a broader trend of delisting adult content from platforms, but Santa Ragione argues that their game has been unjustly censored compared to other media platforms.

AppWizard

November 25, 2025

Horror game maker accuses Valve of ‘censorship’ after its game about nude human ‘Horses’ is rejected by Steam: ‘Lawful works should not be made unreachable by a monopolistic storefront’s opaque decisions’

On December 2, Santa Ragione, an Italian game development studio, will release its first-person horror adventure game, Horses, which explores themes like familial trauma and totalitarian power. The game features grotesque imagery set in a ranch environment with nude individuals wearing horse masks. Before its release, Horses received attention at events such as IndieCade and SXSW Sydney. However, Santa Ragione faces potential closure after being banned from Steam due to concerns over content perceived as depicting sexual conduct involving a minor. The studio criticized Steam's lack of clarity in content guidelines and the absence of options for resubmission or appeal. While Epic Games raised issues about visible nudity, the contentious scene in question was not included in external builds until late 2024. Santa Ragione expressed concern over the inconsistency of content standards between different platforms and lamented the loss of access to Steam, which accounts for over 75% of PC game sales. They argue that the ban reflects moralizing censorship and advocate for artistic freedom in gaming.

AppWizard

November 18, 2025

My favorite horror game of 2025 sounds like a literal nightmare because its composer sampled the creaking of an old house and a metal saw scraping ‘an instrument that sounded horrifying yet could have been made in feudal Japan’

Labyrinth of the Demon King is a first-person survival horror game set in Feudal Japan, featuring a soundscape composed by Remu Daifuku. Daifuku's sound design includes unsettling noises such as gurgles and eerie biwa string solos. He recorded sounds from his old house and the town's bonshō bell to enhance authenticity. A custom daxophone was created using old nokogiri blades to align with the game's historical context. The final sound design was processed through an old tape machine for a gritty texture that complements the game's visuals. The soundtrack is available on YouTube and itch.io, and the game can be found on Steam.

AppWizard

November 5, 2025

A Majority of Game Developers Believe Steam Has A Monopoly on PC Game Distribution

A whitepaper from Rokky, based on a survey of 306 game studio executives, reveals that 72% believe Steam has a monopoly on PC game distribution. Among the respondents, 48% have distributed games on the Epic Games Store and Xbox PC Store, while only 10% have used GOG and 8% have used itch.io. Nearly 25% view marketplaces and e-stores as part of the gray market, which they associate with a loss of control and revenue. Concerns exist about keys falling into gray market hands leading to regional pricing manipulation, but Rokky argues these fears may be unfounded. The report suggests that exploring alternative distribution strategies could help developers reduce reliance on Steam, despite challenges like discoverability and market saturation.

AppWizard

November 4, 2025

72% of devs believe Steam has a monopoly on PC games, according to study

More than half of developers feel over-reliant on Steam for game distribution, with 72% believing it has a monopoly on the PC gaming market. A survey by Atomik Research involved 306 industry executives, with 75% in senior management and 77% from studios with over 50 employees. For many studios, Steam accounts for over 75% of their revenue, but developers are exploring alternatives like the Epic Games Store (48% have distributed there), GOG (10%), and Itch.io (8%). The study notes that 32% of developers still release physical game formats. Developers value alternative channels for ease of use, pricing control, promotional support, and international reach. Looking forward, 80% expect to use alternative channels alongside Steam, with 75% anticipating at least a 10% revenue increase from these platforms. Concerns remain about the gray market and distribution control challenges.