Shocking News: Banned Horror Game ‘Horses’ Faces Last-Minute Ban from Epic Games Store After Steam Controversy – IGN

Last week, we shared that the horror game Horses was banned from Steam. The developer, Santa Ragione, claimed Valve didn’t provide a clear reason or discuss their decision. Just as the game was about to release on other platforms, Epic Games Store also decided to ban it.

Santa Ragione announced this after receiving a press release from Epic, which informed them just 24 hours before launch. The game had been approved weeks earlier, yet Epic did not specify which content violated their guidelines. When Santa Ragione appealed, Epic denied the request within 12 hours, again without explanation.

This situation raises questions about what led to Epic’s sudden decision. Following Steam’s ban, Horses gained significant online attention, receiving strong support, and some criticism. There’s speculation that this visibility affected Epic’s choice more than any new content issue.

The game tells a disturbing story about a young man who arrives at a horse farm, only to discover that the “horses” are actually enslaved humans wearing horse masks. Santa Ragione intended for the game to provoke thought about societal horrors that people often overlook. A previous review rated it 7/10, praising its unsettling narrative.

Despite proposing changes to sensitive scenes, Santa Ragione remains unsure what triggered the bans. Valve suggested that their decision was consistent with their content guidelines. A notable line from their regulations mentions that they avoid content that appears to depict sexual conduct involving minors.

Interestingly, Horses is now available on itch.io, GOG, and Humble, with GOG publicly backing the game after the bans.

As of now, Horses remains categorized as “Coming Soon” on the Epic Games Store. This ongoing controversy reflects a broader concern in the gaming industry regarding content regulation. Recent surveys indicate that many gamers feel content moderation by major platforms is inconsistent and often lacks transparency.

This case highlights the challenges developers face when their creative visions clash with platform policies. The conversation about censorship and content guidelines in gaming continues to unfold, inviting many to weigh in on social media.

Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Got a story tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.

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