The indie horror game 'Horses' has become a surprise bestseller on GOG after being banned from Steam, Epic Games Store, and temporarily removed from Humble Bundle. The platform rejections, which came just hours before the game's December 2 launch, have ignited a fierce debate about creative freedom in gaming and the power of distribution platforms to make or break small developers.
The gaming industry just witnessed what happens when platform censorship meets the Streisand effect, and the results are shaking up conversations about creative freedom in games. 'Horses,' a controversial horror game by indie developer Santa Ragione, has become an unexpected hit after being banned from major distribution platforms just hours before its launch.
The drama began when Steam rejected an early version of the game two years ago with little explanation, according to Santa Ragione's own account. Then, in a coordinated move that caught everyone off guard, the Epic Games Store banned 'Horses' just hours before its December 2 release. The Humble Bundle store followed suit initially, though they later quietly relisted it.
But the bans have spectacularly backfired. On GOG, where the game remains available, 'Horses' has climbed to become a top seller, proving that sometimes controversy sells better than any marketing campaign.
The game itself deals with dark themes of subjugation and abuse, featuring characters who are dehumanized and forced into slavery-like conditions on a farm. While the content includes mature themes and pixelated nudity, critics note that it's received a standard Mature rating and contains no actual graphic nudity.
"Developers shouldn't have to compromise their creative vision, but we also have to acknowledge that games exist within capitalist structures where access to platforms determines livelihood," Jakin Vela, executive director of the International Game Developers Association, told Wired in response to the controversy.
The timing of these bans is particularly striking. This year has seen a broader crackdown on adult content in gaming, with platforms like Steam and Itch.io pulling down NSFW games in July, sparking ongoing debates about creative rights in the industry.
