Steam ban Archives

AppWizard

December 17, 2025

There’s more to Horses than the Steam ban: The controversial horror game is a great example of how games can effectively borrow from film, and how they can also stumble

Steam rejected Santa Ragione's new art horror game, Horses, due to its unsettling content, which led to controversy and a lack of clarity from Valve regarding the ban. The game is visually striking and thematically cohesive, exploring routine through the character Anselmo's daily chores on a farm, but it struggles to engage players meaningfully. Valve's guidelines prohibit content designed to "shock or disgust," and while Horses achieves its goal of provoking thought and discomfort, it ultimately fails to fully realize its potential as an interactive experience. The game's pacing and linear progression in the latter half undermine its narrative impact, as it does not allow players time to reflect on the unsettling themes presented. The controversy has sparked discussions about the gaming industry's approach to controversial topics.

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 27, 2025

An indie studio says it’s at risk of closure after Valve banned its game from Steam

Indie studio Santa Ragione is facing potential closure due to its game, Horses, being denied entry to Steam, which is a major sales platform for PC games. Horses is a first-person horror game featuring a college student on a farm where the "horses" are adults in horse masks, aimed at an adult audience. Valve blocked the game over concerns that it depicted sexual conduct involving a minor, a claim Santa Ragione disputes. The studio plans to release Horses on alternative platforms like the Epic Games Store, GOG, Itch, and the Humble Store on December 2. Santa Ragione invested approximately 0,000 in the game and struggles financially after their previous title, Saturnalia, underperformed. They believe a scene in the game may have triggered Valve's concerns despite the characters being adults. The studio has been unable to secure external publishing partnerships and is relying on the success of Horses on non-Steam platforms to survive. Co-founder Pietro Righi Riva acknowledged that the studio could close if the game does not perform well.

AppWizard

November 26, 2025

After 2 years and $100,000 invested, acclaimed indie studio is “likely closing” due to Steam ban, says it was “tricked and betrayed” by Valve: “A system that allows that is broken”

Santa Ragione, an indie studio based in Italy, is facing a ban from Steam for its upcoming experimental horror game, Horses, which co-founder Pietro Righi Riva has described as "extremely frustrating." The studio, known for its innovative titles like Mediterranea Inferno and Saturnalia, has invested approximately 0,000 into Horses and is struggling to secure additional funding after traditional investors withdrew support. The ban stems from a scene depicting a "horse" that visually represents a naked adult woman carrying a young female child, which the studio modified to feature an adult character. Despite these changes, Valve has maintained its ban, while other platforms like Epic Games Store, GOG, and Humble Store have no issues distributing the game. Santa Ragione claims that Horses is neither "pornographic" nor intended to arouse, but rather aims to provoke discussion through unconventional material. The studio's access to over 75 percent of the PC gaming market is blocked, significantly impacting its financial prospects and future.