Santa Ragione’s horror game Horses, featuring disturbing themes of naked human slaves wearing horse masks, has been banned from release on both Steam and the Epic Games Store. Epic Games informed the publisher just 24 hours before the planned launch that the game violated its content guidelines, specifically citing policies against inappropriate and hateful or abusive content. Despite Santa Ragione’s appeals and clarifications that the game does not contain sexual behavior or animal abuse as claimed, the ban was upheld. The game, which explores dark themes such as violence, psychological abuse, and slavery, remains available on GOG, where it has gained notable popularity.

The controversy highlights broader issues around platform censorship and content moderation, with Santa Ragione criticizing the opaque and inconsistent enforcement of guidelines by major storefronts like Steam and Epic. The game’s rejection is not tied to recent crackdowns on adult content driven by payment processor pressures but rather to subjective interpretations of artistic content. This case underscores the challenges developers face when creating provocative, adult-themed games that push boundaries, as platform policies often leave grey areas that can stifle creative expression. Additionally, Humble Bundle has also delisted Horses, further limiting its distribution.