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Indie Horror ‘Horses’ Sets Dec. 2 PC Release After Steam Ban Threatens Studio’s Future

Santa Ragione says a 2023 Valve ban over suspected minor-related sexual content leaves no resubmission route, with only a short financial runway.

Overview

  • Horses launches December 2 on the Epic Games Store, GOG, Itch.io, and the Humble Store, with no Steam release after Valve’s rejection.
  • Valve’s automated 2023 decision cited content that appears to depict sexual conduct involving a minor and declared the app banned with no resubmissions allowed.
  • Santa Ragione reports receiving no detailed explanation from Valve despite repeated requests and says the studio may wind down operations without Steam access.
  • The developers invested roughly $100,000, estimate Steam represents over 75% of the PC market, and say they can support the game for about six months post-launch.
  • A scene originally showing a young girl on a masked, naked adult’s shoulders was changed to feature a twenty-something woman; other storefronts have approved the game, which the studio insists is non-pornographic.