When Epic Games removed the indie horror game Horses from its storefront on December 1, 2024, it set off a dispute between the developer Santa Ragione and the platform. The game had already faced rejection on Steam in June 2023, leaving the studio with severely limited distribution options. What followed was a public disagreement over whether Epic adequately explained its reasoning for the ban. This timeline traces how the situation unfolded across multiple statements and public responses from both parties.
Timeline of Key Events
How the Epic Games and Santa Ragione dispute developed from December 2024 through February 2026
June 2023
Steam Rejects Game Before Release
Santa Ragione submits Horses to Steam for review. Valve sends an automated rejection email stating the game features “themes, imagery, or descriptions” depicting “sexual conduct involving a minor,” referencing concerns about a scene with a child character. Santa Ragione later changes this character to an adult, but Valve maintains its rejection without reconsidering the modified version.
REJECTION
December 1, 2024 — 5 PM CET
Epic Games Issues Ban Notice
24 hours before scheduled release, Epic Games sends an automated email stating Horses violates content guidelines, specifically citing “Inappropriate Content” and “Hateful or Abusive Content” policies. The email indicates the game received an Adults Only (AO) rating based on Epic’s internal questionnaire assessment.
ACTION
December 1, 2024 — 28 Minutes Later
Santa Ragione Appeals Ban
Developer responds immediately to the ban notice through Epic’s appeal process. The response argues all nudity is pixelated and the content does not promote abuse. Santa Ragione notes the game was already approved and reviewed by Epic’s team for the preceding two months, with the final build approved for release 18 days prior.
RESPONSE
December 1, 2024 — Approximately 12 Hours After Appeal
Epic Denies Appeal Without Additional Context
Epic sends an automated response confirming the ban will remain in place. According to Santa Ragione’s account, no specific information about problematic content or potential modifications is provided beyond the original policy violation claims.
DECISION
December 2, 2024
Game Releases on Alternative Platforms
Horses launches on GOG, itch.io, and Humble Store at $5 price. Despite being banned from Steam and Epic Games Store, the game reaches top seller lists on alternative platforms. By mid-December, it sells over 18,000 copies, generating approximately $65,000 in net revenue.
DEVELOPMENT
February 5, 2026
Epic VP Discusses Ban in Interview
In an interview with Game File, Epic Games VP Steve Allison states the company “loves that studio” and explains the ban was due to policy violations. He references the trust and safety team’s decision to take “a fresh look” at the game shortly before release.
STATEMENT
February 7, 2026
Santa Ragione Disputes Epic’s Account
Developer posts on Bluesky, contesting Epic’s characterization. Santa Ragione states Epic made “provably incorrect statements” about the game’s content and refused to provide details supporting claims. Developer notes the absence of an official AO certificate and appeals process.
RESPONSE
February 9, 2026
Epic Games Provides Detailed Statement
Brian Sharon, Epic Games Senior Communications Manager, issues a formal response explaining the review process. Epic states it conducted a secondary review using the IARC ratings questionnaire and determined an AO rating, which Epic policy prohibits on its store.
RESPONSE
February 10, 2026
Developer Clarifies Communication Breakdown
Pietro Righi Riva, Santa Ragione co-founder, tells media outlets that Epic’s communications were “vague and semi-automated” and provided no specifics on what needed to change. Developer states they sent follow-up emails seeking clarification but received no responses.
DETAIL
Ongoing
Dispute Status
Both parties maintain their positions. Epic continues to affirm its review was appropriate. Santa Ragione maintains the ban was unjustified and that Epic failed to provide meaningful opportunity for appeal or modification. The game remains available on GOG, itch.io, and Humble Store.
ACTIVE
What’s at Stake in This Dispute
The core disagreement centers on whether Epic provided adequate notice of policy violations and whether the ban was justified. Both parties have made specific claims about communication and the game’s actual content. Santa Ragione completed the International Age Rating Coalition questionnaire through the normal process and received a PEGI 18 and ESRB M rating. Epic Games independently completed the IARC questionnaire and determined an AO rating, the critical difference that led to the ban.
Direct Claims from Official Sources
Both parties have made specific statements about the ban decision, the communication process, and the game’s content. These direct quotes come from official statements and press communications.
Epic Games Official Statement
“Our team played the game and found it violated the Epic Games Store’s Content Guidelines, specifically the ‘Inappropriate Content’ and ‘Hateful or Abusive Content’ policies.”
“We did a secondary check by filling out the ratings questionnaire for the game ourselves and the content got an Adults Only (AO) rating—which we do not allow on the Store.”
“Because this wasn’t an official submission, we do not have a certificate to share with the team. We did give the developers context around the policies they violated.”
— Brian Sharon, Epic Games Senior Communications Manager
Santa Ragione Official Response
“Epic made provably incorrect statements about the game’s content, refused to provide details supporting their claims, and has not shared their claimed AO IARC certificate, which normally includes a link for the developer to appeal.”
“They do not ‘love that studio’, they have effectively ghosted us.”
“No additional information or context was ever provided. We emailed them twice since to plead for a resubmission and find a solution but never received a reply.”
— Pietro Righi Riva, Santa Ragione Co-Founder and Studio Director
Points of Disagreement
Communication Quality: Epic states it provided “context”; Santa Ragione characterizes the communications as “vague and semi-automated”
Content Accuracy: Santa Ragione claims Epic’s statements were “provably incorrect”; Epic maintains its review found legitimate violations
Rating Determination: Santa Ragione received PEGI 18 and ESRB M through official IARC process; Epic unilaterally determined AO rating without official submission
Appeal Process: Santa Ragione states no clear path for modification or resubmission was offered; Epic says the decision was final and appropriately applied
Follow-up Communication: Developer claims no response to follow-up emails; Epic did not address these claims in official statements
Financial and Practical Impact
Despite the dual bans from Steam and Epic Games Store, Horses achieved measurable commercial success on remaining platforms. The game sold over 18,000 copies in its first two weeks, generating approximately $65,000 in net revenue. This revenue covered the studio’s debts and outstanding royalties but proved insufficient for funding new game development. Santa Ragione indicated it had allocated resources to support Horses for approximately six months post-launch but faced an uncertain future regarding additional projects.
Essential Facts and Figures
18,000+ copies sold in approximately two weeks despite platform bans
$65,000 net revenue generated from alternative platform sales (GOG, itch.io, Humble Store)
$5 price point across all available platforms
PEGI 18 / ESRB M ratings received through Santa Ragione’s official IARC submission versus AO rating determined by Epic internally
June 2023 Steam rejection date, approximately 18 months before Epic’s December 2024 ban
28-minute appeal response time from Santa Ragione after receiving Epic’s ban notice
Three-hour gameplay duration with four brief, pixelated sexual sequences as described by developer
Where the Situation Stands
The dispute between Epic Games and Santa Ragione centered on procedural disagreements rather than contested facts about the game’s content. Both parties acknowledged the game contains adult themes and nudity. The disagreement focused on whether the content warranted an AO rating (adult-only, not allowed on Epic’s store) and whether Epic provided sufficient notice and opportunity for appeal.
Santa Ragione maintained that its official rating through the standard process resulted in PEGI 18 and ESRB M designations, which are permitted on mainstream platforms. The developer characterized Epic’s unilateral AO determination as inconsistent with industry standard ratings bodies. Epic maintained its review process was sound and the decision was appropriately applied.
Horses remains available for purchase at $5 on GOG, itch.io, and Humble Store. The situation served as a case study in platform moderation policies and their impact on independent game developers. For related coverage on game industry developments, see Arc Raiders content updates and Nioh 3 combat mechanics guide.
