Epic Games has stirred controversy surrounding the game “Horses” developed by Santa Ragione. Recently, they stated that the game violated their Content Guidelines due to “Inappropriate Content” and “Hateful or Abusive Content.” Brian Sharon, a senior communications manager at Epic, mentioned that their internal review led to an Adults Only (AO) rating, which they don’t allow on their store.
Santa Ragione fired back, claiming that Epic had “ghosted” them after initially showing support. The drama escalated when Epic revoked distribution just a day before “Horses” was set to launch. This left Santa Ragione in a tough spot. Founder Pietro Righi Riva said the studio could face closure if the game’s sales fell short.
The game was already in hot water after Steam also refused to list it. In an email to Santa Ragione, Epic pointed to multiple violations of their guidelines, particularly concerning animal abuse and explicit content. They emphasized that the game was reviewed and rated based on these policies, receiving an AO rating without an official submission from the developers, which means they lacked a certificate to appeal.
In contrast, Epic’s VP, Steve Allison, suggested in an interview that their feelings toward Santa Ragione hadn’t changed, despite what happened. He noted discrepancies between the studio’s claims and their content moderators’ findings, attributing the controversy to the sudden attention surrounding the Steam ban.
In response, Santa Ragione argued that the game doesn’t warrant an AO rating, citing available gameplay footage on platforms like YouTube and Twitch. They also mentioned that they managed to repay their development loans and royalties to creator Andrea Lucco Borlera, despite the distribution hiccup.
This dispute highlights the challenges independent developers face in today’s market. With the gaming landscape ever-changing, balancing creative freedom and adhering to platform guidelines can prove to be a tightrope walk. In 2022, a survey showed that nearly 60% of indie developers express concern over platform policies, emphasizing the need for clearer communication and guidelines.
As debates like this unfold, user reactions on social media reflect a mix of support and skepticism. Many gamers rallied behind Santa Ragione, sharing their own gameplay experiences, while others questioned the transparency of Epic’s review process. This situation may lead to broader discussions about the responsibilities of major platforms in nurturing indie creators.
As the saga continues, it raises important questions about the relationship between developers and platforms, and how these dynamics shape the content we see in gaming today.
