Full Breakdown
Santa Ragione's Horses: A Controversial Launch and Its Aftermath
12/19/2025, 10:46:13 AM
Overview of the Core Event
Santa Ragione's indie horror game, Horses, faced significant challenges prior to its release, including bans from major digital storefronts Steam and Epic Games Store. Despite these setbacks, the game sold over 18,000 copies within two weeks of its launch, generating approximately $65,000 in net revenue. This financial success allowed the studio to repay its development loans and royalties owed to creator Andrea Lucco Borlera. However, the revenue is insufficient to fund future projects, leaving the studio's future uncertain.
Background & Context
Horses was initially announced in 2023 and was slated for a 2024 release, which was later delayed to 2025. The game features unsettling themes, including sexuality and violence, and depicts a rural farm populated by naked figures wearing horse masks. The content drew scrutiny, leading to its bans from Steam and Epic Games Store just before its release. The bans were part of a broader trend targeting adult-oriented games on these platforms.
Key Figures & Groups
- Santa Ragione: The Italian indie studio behind Horses, founded by Pietro Righi Riva.
- Andrea Lucco Borlera: The author and creator of Horses, who received royalties from the game's sales.
Official Statements & Responses
Santa Ragione expressed gratitude to players and supporters for the game's sales, stating, "Paying our debts is a success, and we are relieved." However, they emphasized that the financial outcome does not erase the impact of the bans, which forced the team into a prolonged scramble for funding. The studio criticized Valve for its lack of transparency, stating, "We want to emphasize that this outcome should not distract from the broader issue at stake: the need for clearer rules, transparent processes, and meaningful accountability from near monopolistic distribution platforms."
Criticism & Opposition
The bans from Steam and Epic have been criticized by both developers and players, who argue that the decisions reflect a lack of accountability and transparency in the gaming industry. Santa Ragione highlighted that many games face similar fates, stating, "For every case like Horses that becomes visible, there are many more games that are quietly banned, delisted, or trapped in indefinite review for unclear reasons."
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Santa Ragione reported 18,000 copies sold, the exact impact of the bans on potential sales remains unclear. The studio noted that a strong performance on smaller storefronts does not accurately predict what a full release on Steam could have achieved. This discrepancy raises questions about the long-term viability of the studio without access to major distribution platforms.
What's Next
The immediate future for Santa Ragione remains uncertain. The team has indicated that they may pursue new projects if sales remain steady, but many members are currently engaged in other jobs. The studio's ability to reunite and develop a new game hinges on sustained interest in Horses, which is not guaranteed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Paying our debts is a success, and we are relieved," the studio said.” — Santa Ragione
- “We want to emphasise that this outcome should not distract from the broader issue at stake: the need for clearer rules, transparent processes, and meaningful accountability from near monopolistic distribution platforms and the systems they enforce,” — Santa Ragione
- “For every case like Horses that becomes visible, there are many more games that are quietly banned, delisted, or trapped in indefinite review for unclear reasons, with developers too worried about retaliation or future approval to speak publicly.” — Santa Ragione
The launch of Horses has been a significant event for Santa Ragione, highlighting both the challenges faced by independent developers and the complexities of navigating digital distribution in the gaming industry.
