Indie Horror Game *Horses* Remains at Center of Distribution Dispute with Epic Games
The contentious battle over the distribution of indie horror game Horses continues, with developer Santa Ragione accusing Epic Games of making “provably incorrect statements” regarding the game’s removal from the Epic Games Store. The dispute, which began late last year after Horses was also rejected by Steam, centers on the game’s content and whether Epic Games was transparent with the developer about the reasons for its rejection.
The situation initially flared up after an interview with Epic Games VP Steve Allison, published by Game File on . Allison stated that Epic “love[s]” Santa Ragione’s studio, having previously published their earlier game as a short exclusive, but ultimately maintained that Horses’s adult content led to its removal. He explained that the game had initially received a mature rating through the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) process, but Epic’s subsequent review resulted in an Adults Only (AO) rating. Because the Epic Games Store does not distribute games with AO ratings – unless they incorporate blockchain, NFT, or cryptocurrency technology – Horses was deemed ineligible.
Santa Ragione swiftly responded to Allison’s comments via a post on Bluesky, directly challenging the narrative. The studio asserted that Epic “made provably incorrect statements about the game’s content, refused to provide details supporting their claims, and has not shared their claimed AO IARC certificate, which normally includes a link for the developer to appeal.” They further stated that Epic’s claim of affection for the studio felt disingenuous, accusing the company of having “effectively ghosted” them.
Epic Games subsequently issued a statement to IGN, through Senior Communications Manager Brian Sharon, clarifying that Horses was flagged for violating the Epic Games Store’s policy guidelines concerning inappropriate, hateful, or abusive content. This explanation expands on Allison’s initial focus on the game’s adult content rating, suggesting a broader range of concerns contributed to the decision.
The core of the disagreement lies in the level of transparency and the specifics of the content violations. Santa Ragione has consistently argued for clearer rules and more accountable processes from distribution platforms like Steam and Epic Games. The developer previously faced a similar rejection from Steam in , submitting an in-progress prototype and receiving limited feedback, with no opportunity for appeal. This history contributes to their current frustration and skepticism regarding Epic’s explanations.
The game itself, Horses, is a first-person horror experience set on a horse farm, described as a 14-day journey that tests the player’s “obedience, complicity, and restraint.” Players navigate “daily unique interactions” and “unspeakable horrors” as they attempt to withstand the unfolding reality of the farm. The game’s disturbing imagery and themes are central to the controversy, raising questions about the boundaries of acceptable content on digital storefronts.
This dispute highlights a growing tension within the indie game development community regarding content moderation and the power wielded by major distribution platforms. While both Steam and Epic Games have content guidelines, developers often express concerns about the lack of clarity and consistency in their enforcement. The situation with Horses underscores the challenges faced by independent creators seeking to reach audiences without compromising their artistic vision.
The fact that Horses is available on platforms like GoG and itch.io further complicates the narrative. These platforms have different content policies, allowing the game to be sold despite the objections of Steam and Epic Games. This disparity raises questions about the subjective nature of content moderation and the potential for censorship based on differing corporate values.
As of , the dispute remains unresolved. Santa Ragione is seeking greater transparency from Epic Games, specifically requesting the AO IARC certificate to understand the basis for the rating and potentially appeal the decision. The outcome of this conflict could have broader implications for the indie game landscape, potentially influencing future content policies and developer-platform relationships.
The ongoing back-and-forth between Santa Ragione and Epic Games demonstrates the complexities of navigating content restrictions in the digital age. It also serves as a reminder of the precarious position of independent developers, who often rely on the goodwill and policies of larger corporations to reach a wider audience. The lack of a clear resolution in the case of Horses leaves many in the industry watching closely, anticipating how this situation will shape the future of indie game distribution.
