MILAN / LONDON (IT BOLTWISE) – Italian developer Santa Ragione is facing possible closure after Valve decided not to release upcoming horror game Horses on Steam. This decision could put the studio in financial trouble as it will be unable to reach the largest PC market.
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Italian game developer Santa Ragione is facing an existential threat after Valve, the operator of the popular gaming platform Steam, decided not to release the upcoming horror game Horses. This decision could have serious financial consequences for the studio, as Steam is considered the largest marketplace for PC games and access to this market is crucial to the success of Santa Ragione’s latest project.
In an exclusive interview, Santa Ragione co-founder Pietro Righi Riva expressed concerns about the future of the studio. He explained that all proceeds from the game will go to the project’s authors and backers, which means there will be little funds left for the development of new games. Without unexpected success from Horses, the studio could be forced to close its doors.
Valve justified the decision by displaying content that could be viewed as problematic. In particular, a scene was highlighted in which a young figure sits on the shoulders of an adult woman dressed as a horse. Although Santa Ragione has adjusted the scene to avoid possible misunderstandings, the ban remains in place. However, the game will be released on other platforms such as the Epic Games Store and GOG.
Valve’s decision comes at a time when the platform is increasingly cracking down on content deemed inappropriate, particularly after pressure from payment providers. This development raises questions about the role of platforms and payment providers in content control and how these decisions can influence diversity and creativity in game development.
Santa Ragione has thanked players for their support over the last 15 years and emphasized the importance of encouraging experimental work in an increasingly challenging market environment. The future of the studio now depends heavily on Horses’ performance on the alternative platforms, as the discussion about the responsibility of platforms in the gaming industry continues.
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