What's happened
Santa Ragione's new game 'Horses' was banned from Steam and Epic Games Store due to its graphic and disturbing content, despite its popularity on other platforms. The game explores dark themes like violence and abuse, raising questions about content regulation in gaming.
What's behind the headline?
The banning of 'Horses' highlights ongoing tensions between artistic freedom and content regulation in the gaming industry. Valve and Epic's decisions reflect a cautious approach to controversial material, especially when it involves sensitive themes like violence and abuse. The game's rise on alternative platforms like itch.io and GOG demonstrates a growing market for provocative, boundary-pushing titles outside mainstream stores. This situation underscores how digital distribution allows niche content to thrive despite restrictions, but also raises questions about the limits of acceptable content and the role of platform gatekeepers. As gaming continues to evolve as a form of artistic expression, industry standards and community norms will be tested, potentially leading to more nuanced policies that balance creative freedom with social responsibility.
What the papers say
The Guardian reports that 'Horses' was reviewed by Valve in 2023, which led to its rejection from Steam, citing content guidelines. IGN notes that Epic Games Store also declined to distribute the game due to violations of 'Inappropriate Content' and 'Hateful or Abusive Content' policies, though no specifics were provided. The controversy has propelled the game to popularity on itch.io and GOG, platforms more tolerant of provocative material. These contrasting responses highlight the ongoing debate over content regulation and artistic expression in digital gaming, with mainstream stores exercising caution while alternative platforms embrace boundary-pushing titles.
How we got here
Santa Ragione's 'Horses' was developed as a provocative title delving into controversial themes. It was reviewed by Valve in 2023, which led to its rejection from Steam, and Epic Games Store also declined distribution citing violations of content guidelines. The game’s unsettling content includes graphic imagery and disturbing themes, which have sparked debate over censorship and artistic expression in gaming.
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