After Horses, an indie horror game, was banned from Steam, its studio, Santa Ragione, faced serious trouble. Co-founder Pietro Righi Riva had to share the news with the game’s director, Andrea Lucco Borlera. “I felt like I was breaking his heart,” Riva recalled. This was Borlera’s first game, built on years of hard work and passion. It was meant to be his big moment.
Now, Riva feels relief because the game’s recent buzz may help cover some debts. He borrowed about $50,000 to keep the studio running. However, he remains anxious about Santa Ragione’s future. “We’re not out of the woods yet,” he admitted.
Horses features retro graphics reminiscent of the Dreamcast era. Players interact with the game by clicking to manage their inventory. Although Santa Ragione had previous success with games like Saturnalia and Milky Way Prince, the studio was relatively unknown. Riva acknowledges that the bans unexpectedly boosted interest in Horses.
“There’s no way we’d have attracted this attention otherwise,” he commented. Surprisingly, Borlera was happy with the attention the bans brought. “People are engaging with the game in the way he hoped,” Riva said.
While the engagement is positive, Riva knows it can’t replace the exposure Steam offers. Although grateful for player support and platforms like GOG, he worries for the studio’s survival. “Even with all the publicity, we can’t compare to the audience we would have on Steam.”
Steam dominates the PC gaming market. Indie studios often depend on it for visibility. Riva explained that being left out of Steam’s ecosystem hurts not only Santa Ragione but also other indie developers. He fears this situation could lead to more self-censorship in the industry. “It’s terrifying,” he said. “It will make us play it safer with our games.”
According to a recent report from the Entertainment Software Association, nearly 70% of gamers prefer PC gaming, highlighting the impact of platforms like Steam. As indie developers face challenges, their creativity may be stifled, altering the landscape of gaming.
In a time when diverse voices matter, it’s crucial to support studios like Santa Ragione that push boundaries. The story of Horses isn’t just about a game; it’s about the struggle for artistic freedom in the gaming world.
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