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

IGN
Tue, 02 Dec 2025 17:41:10 +0000

The horror game "Horses," developed by Santa Ragione, has been banned from both Steam and the Epic Games Store. Steam's ban was due to content concerns, while Epic cited violations of its content guidelines, specifically regarding inappropriate and hateful content. Despite an approved build, Epic informed the developer just before release. Santa Ragione claims discrepancies in content ratings and has faced challenges in appealing the decisions. The game is now available on itch.io, GOG, and Humble.

2025-12-02 | GamesIndustry.biz: Epic Games Store decides "at the last minute" not to distribute Horses

Epic Games Store has withdrawn support for the indie game Horses, stating it found violations of its Content Guidelines, specifically regarding inappropriate and hateful content. Developer Santa Ragione confirmed that Epic decided not to distribute the game despite previously approving it. The studio faces potential closure after Valve also declined to host the game on Steam. Santa Ragione has appealed Epic's decision, asserting that the game received a PEGI 18 and ESRB M rating, not an AO rating.

2025-12-02 | GamesRadar+: Banned by Steam, $100,000 in the hole, and facing shutdown, graphic horror game dev now dropped by Epic Games Store "roughly 24 hours before launch"

Santa Ragione's horror game "Horses" has been banned by the Epic Games Store just 24 hours before its launch, despite prior approval. The game, which critiques violence and abuse, was previously banned by Steam and is now facing potential shutdown after the developer invested $100,000 over two years. Epic cited violations of content guidelines, including inappropriate and abusive content, and an AO rating from the IARC. The studio disputes these claims, asserting that the game is heavily censored.

2025-12-02 | PC Gamer: Epic bans indie horror game Horses just one day before launch due to 'inappropriate content', despite having approved that content weeks ago

Epic Games has banned the indie horror game Horses from its storefront just one day before its launch, citing violations of policies on "inappropriate content" and "hateful or abusive content." Publisher Santa Ragione claims Epic's decision was based on broad claims without specifics and that the game had previously been approved. Despite the bans from Epic and Steam, Horses remains available on GOG, Itch.io, and the Humble Store.

2025-12-02 | Aftermath: Horror Game Horses Removed From Epic Games Store, Too

Santa Ragione's horror game "Horses" has been banned from the Epic Games Store just a day before its scheduled release, following a similar rejection from Steam. Epic cited violations of its content guidelines regarding inappropriate and abusive content. The game, which includes disturbing themes, received an Adult's Only rating from the IARC, while Santa Ragione claims it was rated PEGI 18 or ESRB M. The developer argues that the game is intended for adult audiences and challenges censorship in the industry.

2025-12-03 | Rock Paper Shotgun: Epic ban Santa Ragione's Horses just before release, allegedly with a weird reminder that NFT games are fine though

Epic Games has banned the surreal farming simulation game "Horses" by Santa Ragione from the Epic Games Store just before its release, citing violations of policies against "Inappropriate Content" and "Hateful or Abusive Content." This decision follows a similar rejection by Valve. The developers speculate that increased visibility after Valve's ban influenced Epic's choice. The game remains available on other platforms, though Humble has also removed it from sale.

2025-12-03 | Game Developer: Horses banned from Epic Games Store just 24 hours before launch

Indie horror title "Horses" from Santa Ragione was banned from the Epic Games Store just 24 hours before its launch due to violations of content guidelines, specifically regarding "Inappropriate Content" and "Hateful or Abusive Content." The studio appealed the decision, asserting the game does not promote abuse and has received appropriate age ratings. Despite their efforts, Epic upheld the ban without providing specific reasons for the content violations. "Horses" is now available on Itch.io, GOG, and the Humble Store.

2025-12-03 | GameSpot: Another Store Bans This New Indie Game, And The Developer Has Questions

Indie horror game Horses, developed by Santa Ragione, has been banned from both Steam and Epic Games Store shortly before its planned release. Epic cited violations of its content policies and an Adults Only rating, despite the game being rated M for Mature. Santa Ragione appealed the decision, asserting the game does not contain explicit sexual content and critiques violence and abuse. The game is now available on GOG and Itch.io for $5.

2025-12-03 | TechRaptor: (Updated) Indie Horror Game Horses Banned from Steam With No Explanation

Indie horror game Horses has been banned from Steam without explanation, according to developer Santa Ragione. The game is also banned from the Epic Game Store and Humble Store, with Epic citing violations of its content policies. Santa Ragione claims it received no specific feedback on the ban and has appealed unsuccessfully. The game remains available on Itch.io and GOG. The developer states that the game's intent is to provoke discussion, not to be pornographic, and fears the ban could jeopardize their studio's future.

2025-12-03 | Eurogamer: Horses gets last-minute ban from Epic Games Store following Steam controversy, despite apparent earlier approval

Santa Ragione's horror game Horses has been banned from the Epic Games Store just before its release, despite prior approval. Epic cited violations of its content guidelines, particularly regarding inappropriate content and animal abuse. Santa Ragione contested this, arguing that the game critiques violence and abuse, and that its content was appropriately rated. The studio's appeal was rejected within hours. Horses remains available on GOG and Itch.io.

2025-12-03 | The Verge: An unsettling indie game about horses keeps getting banned from stores

The indie game "Horses" was banned from the Epic Games Store just hours before its December 2 launch, following a prior ban from Steam two years ago. Developers Santa Ragione claim the bans stem from content policies regarding sexual content, though they have received little explanation. The game features a narrative involving human-like horses and has been met with mixed reactions. Despite positive reviews, the bans have placed the studio in financial jeopardy.

2025-12-03 | GamesRadar+: One week after an acclaimed indie studio said it faces closure following a Steam ban for its surreal horror game, Humble joins Epic in banning Horses at the last minute

The indie horror game "Horses" has been banned by Humble, following similar actions from Steam and Epic Games, with Steam being the only platform to publicly explain its decision. The game's developer, Santa Ragione, faces potential closure due to the bans, as the game cost $100,000 to develop. However, it remains available on GOG and itch.io, with GOG promoting it as a best-seller. The game is priced at $4.99.

2025-12-03 | PC Gamer: Horses is back on the Humble Store: 'After a full review they determined that while the content is heavy, nothing in the game warrants removal'

The controversial horror game "Horses" was removed from the Humble Store just one day after its launch, despite initially being confirmed for sale as a DRM-free download. The game, which has faced bans from Steam and the Epic Games Store due to its content, is currently the best-selling new release on GOG and Itch.io. Publisher Santa Ragione is seeking clarification from Humble regarding the removal, which has reduced the game's visibility.

2025-12-03 | Destructoid: Why did this mysterious horror game get banned from Steam and now the Epic Games Store?

The horror game "Horses" has been banned from both Steam and the Epic Games Store due to mature content concerns, despite having received an IARC certificate of PEGI 18 and ESRB M ratings. Epic cited violations of their policies on "Inappropriate" and "Hateful or Abusive Content." The indie developer, Santa Ragione, was informed of the ban just 24 hours before launch and has since appealed Epic's decision, which was denied. The game is still available on GOG and Itch.io for $4.99.

2025-12-03 | Game Informer: Steam, The Epic Games Store, And The Humble Store Refuse To Sell Indie Horror Game Horses – Here's Why

The indie horror game "Horses" faced bans from Steam and the Epic Games Store due to its controversial content, which includes enslaved humans in horse masks and a scene involving a young girl. Steam rejected it for depicting sexual conduct involving a minor, while Epic cited violations of its content guidelines. The Humble Store initially delisted it but has since reinstated the game. "Horses" remains available on itch.io and GOG, where it has gained popularity despite the bans.

2025-12-03 | Game Informer: Steam And The Epic Games Store Refuse To Sell Indie Horror Game Horses – Here's Why

The indie horror game "Horses" faced bans from Steam and the Epic Games Store due to its controversial content, which includes enslaved humans in horse masks and a scene involving a young girl. Steam cited concerns over potential depictions of sexual conduct involving a minor, while Epic referenced violations of their content guidelines. The game was temporarily delisted from the Humble Store but has since been reinstated. It remains available on itch.io and GOG, where it has gained popularity.

2025-12-03 | Aftermath: Humble Delists Then Relists Horses

Humble temporarily delisted the controversial art game Horses to reevaluate its content but relisted it after determining it did not warrant removal. The game's co-founder expressed gratitude for the reconsideration but criticized the lack of communication during the process. Horses remains banned on Steam and Epic due to its adult themes, which the developers argue are less extreme than content in many films and other games. It is still available on Itch and GOG.

2025-12-03 | GamesRadar+: Banned horror game Horses now topping GOG's best-seller charts amid censorship controversy, and it's back on Humble even as Steam and Epic refuse to carry it

The horror game "Horses," banned from Steam and Epic for its controversial content, is now a best-seller on GOG and Itch.io. Humble has reinstated the game after a review, despite initial concerns over its content. The developer, Santa Ragione, clarified that a scene involving a child may have triggered the ban. They invested two years and $100,000 into the game, which blurs reality and imagination, featuring humans in horse masks.

2025-12-04 | Aftermath: Horses Is Tame

Horses, an indie game by Santa Ragione, has been banned from Steam and Epic for its controversial content, which includes themes of sexual violence and abuse presented in a stylized manner. The game features a 20-year-old protagonist working on a farm where "horses" are depicted as blurred-out people in horse masks. Despite its disturbing themes, the game is argued to be less graphic than many existing titles. The bans raise questions about market consolidation and censorship in the gaming industry.

2025-12-05 | Metro: Horses review – the most banned video game of the generation

Horses, developed by Santa Ragione, is a controversial horror game effectively banned from major platforms like Steam and Epic Games Store due to a submission error involving a scene with a child. The game explores dark themes such as psychological abuse and societal oppression, featuring unsettling visuals and moral choices. Despite its weak gameplay mechanics, it offers a unique narrative experience. Released on December 2, 2025, it is available on smaller online stores for around £3.74 to $4.99.

2025-12-05 | The Verge: Horses is a hit, but its studio might still be in trouble

Indie game Horses, developed by Santa Ragione, gained unexpected popularity after being banned from Steam, leading to its success on GOG.com. Studio cofounder Pietro Righi Riva expressed concern for the studio's future despite the game's newfound attention, highlighting the significant audience Steam provides. Riva noted that the bans have driven engagement but also instilled fear of self-censorship among developers, impacting future projects.

2025-12-05 | GamesRadar+: "This still does not compare to the kind of audience we would have on Steam": Horses lead says ban virality helped sales "but we're not out of the woods," and he fears "self-censorship" with future games

Developer Santa Ragione's horror game "Horses," banned from Steam and Epic Games Store, has seen a sales boost on GOG, ranking second in bestsellers. Co-founder Pietro Righi Riva noted that while the attention has helped recoup some of the game's $100,000 budget, it doesn't match the audience Steam offers. He expressed concerns about potential self-censorship in future projects due to increasing censorship in the industry. GOG supports player choice in gaming experiences.

2025-12-06 | The Verge: Horses deserves to be played, even if it’s not very good

Horses, a narrative horror game by Santa Ragione and Andrea Lucco Bolera, has sparked debate over video game censorship after being banned from Steam and Epic Game Store. Despite its controversial content, it has become a bestseller on GOG.com. The game features Anselmo, who performs mundane farm tasks while encountering dark humor and unsettling themes. The reviewer finds the game amusing yet critiques its effectiveness in conveying horror, suggesting it ultimately fails to engage players meaningfully. Horses is available on GOG.com, Humble, and itch.io.