Full Breakdown
GOG Supports Santa Ragione's Horses After Steam Ban
11/30/2025, 7:53:49 AM
Overview of the Controversy
The indie horror game *Horses*, developed by Italian studio Santa Ragione, has been banned from Valve's Steam platform due to concerns over its content. The game, which features a narrative exploring themes of familial trauma and totalitarianism through the lens of a farm where human "horses" are kept, is set to launch on December 2, 2023, on GOG, the Epic Games Store, Itch.io, and the Humble Store, but not on Steam.
Background on the Game and Ban
*Horses* is a three-hour first-person horror adventure that combines monochrome visuals with live-action sequences. The controversy arose when Valve determined that a scene in the game depicted sexual conduct involving a minor, a claim Santa Ragione disputes. The studio asserts that the scene in question was mischaracterized and has since been altered to feature an adult character. Despite these changes, Valve has maintained its decision, stating that the ban is final.
GOG's Position and Support
In response to Valve's ban, GOG has publicly supported Santa Ragione, emphasizing its commitment to artistic freedom and player choice. GOG's statement highlighted its goal to provide a platform where developers can share their work without censorship. The storefront has launched pre-orders for *Horses* and is actively promoting the game on its homepage. GOG stated, "We’re proud to give *Horses* a home on GOG, giving players another way to enjoy the game."
Official Statements from Valve and Santa Ragione
Valve confirmed its decision to ban *Horses*, explaining that it reviewed the game based on concerns raised during the submission process. The company noted that it had communicated its final decision to Santa Ragione after an extensive internal review. In contrast, Pietro Righi Riva, co-founder of Santa Ragione, criticized the lack of transparency from Steam and called for developers to unite in demanding better conditions for creative freedom in the gaming industry.
Criticism of Steam's Decision
Critics of Valve's decision argue that it reflects a broader issue of control within the gaming distribution landscape, where a few platforms dominate the market. Righi Riva expressed concern that such control stifles creativity and viability for developers, stating, "The current landscape is one where very few actors control the distribution of almost all games that are produced."
What's Next for Horses
As *Horses* prepares for its launch on alternative platforms, the situation highlights ongoing tensions between indie developers and major distribution platforms like Steam. The game's release will serve as a test case for how alternative storefronts can support creative works that face censorship from larger entities.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We’re proud to give Horses a home on GOG, giving players another way to enjoy the game,” — GOG
- “I know developers are understandably scared of voicing their complaints about Steam, but I hope we can collectively ask for better conditions to make our work more viable and more creatively free,” — Pietro Righi Riva, Santa Ragione
- “Based on content in the store page, we told the developer we would need to review the build itself.” — Valve
This controversy underscores the challenges faced by indie developers in navigating the complex landscape of game distribution and censorship.
