US EditionUnsettling Horror Game Horses Banned From Steam, Leaving Studio With 'High Risk' of Closure
Santa Ragione faces closure after Steam banned its horror game Horses citing unclear reasons despite all characters being adults, while other PC stores will still release it.
- On November 25, Santa Ragione announced Horses will release on December 2 but revealed Steam has barred the narrative-driven horror game while it launches on other PC storefronts.
- After Valve requested a playable build in 2023, Santa Ragione says Valve rejected Horses without detailed feedback, Riva explained.
- Developers say Horses depicts naked adult 'horses' wearing masks and humiliation scenes, removed a child scene for a twenty-something character, and holds PEGI and ESRB ratings.
- Facing unsustainable finances, Santa Ragione invested $50,000, relied on private funding from friends, and holds six months post-launch support funds but risks closure in the near future.
- Developers urge Valve transparency as Santa Ragione highlights its award-winning work, including Mediterranea Inferno’s 2024 IGF Excellence in Narrative Award, to stress artistic stakes.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Unsettling Horror Game Horses Banned From Steam, Leaving Studio With 'High Risk' of Closure
Indie horror game Horses is preparing to launch on December 2, on the Epic Games Store, GOG, Itch.io, and the Humble Store. But one place it won't be is on Steam, because Steam has banned the game for unclear reasons. And according to the developer, this ban seems likely to result in the shutdown of their entire studio.
Steam Is For Products, Not Art
This week Santa Ragione – the Italian indie studio behind award-winning games like Wheels of Aurelia, Saturnalia, and Mediterranea – made the shocking announcement that it is likely not long for this world after Steam blocked the release of its upcoming horror game about “power, faith, and violence,” Horses. The situation is complicated, involving a scene meant to unsettle and push boundaries. But this is the case with many pieces of art. Steam,…
An indie studio says it's at risk of closure after Valve banned its game from Steam
Indie studio Santa Ragione said it is at risk of shutting down as its latest project won't be available on Steam, which is by far the biggest storefront for PC games and a key point of sale for many developers. Horses, a first-person horror game that blends gameplay and live-action sequences, is about a college student who spends a summer working on a farm. However, the farm’s “horses” are actually naked human adults who are wearing horse masks.…
Reddit users have „no sympathy” for this indie studio after their game was banned from Steam
Santa Ragione's upcoming horror game was banned from Steam, putting the entire studio in jeopardy, but Reddit had no sympathy for them.This info Reddit users have „no sympathy” for this indie studio after their game was banned from Steam was first published on Gamepressure.com 26 November 2025.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
