"Horses" Banned from Steam: Controversy Surrounds Award-Winning Horror Game
In a shocking turn of events, award-winning Italian developer Santa Ragione's latest project, "Horses," has been banned from sale on Steam, the largest digital store for PC games. The ban was announced just over a week ago, and other popular storefronts such as the Epic Games Store also pulled the game from their shelves, citing concerns over its content.
The controversy surrounding "Horses" centers around its graphic and disturbing themes, including scenes of physical violence, psychological abuse, gory imagery, and depiction of slavery. However, some argue that the game's approach to these topics is too simplistic and crude, failing to provide a genuine sense of shock or unease.
Gameplay-wise, "Horses" presents a bleak and unsettling experience, with players tasked with performing mundane chores in a nightmarish environment. The game's visuals are stark and unflinching, with characters rendered in a style that is both realistic and unnerving. While the sound design is minimal, with only the occasional hum of a camera or water pouring into a glass breaking the silence, this actually adds to the overall sense of unease.
But what sets "Horses" apart from other horror games is its ability to elicit discomfort without resorting to explicit gore or violence. The game's central theme – the exploration of power dynamics and human psychology – is presented in a way that is both thought-provoking and unsettling, but ultimately fails to spark any real outrage.
The decision to ban "Horses" from Steam has sparked debate among gamers and developers alike, with some arguing that it is an example of censorship gone too far. Others point out that the game's content may be disturbing, but it does not necessarily meet the criteria for what constitutes "hateful or abusive" content under the Epic Games Store's guidelines.
Ultimately, the controversy surrounding "Horses" serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between artistic expression and social responsibility in the world of video games. While some may argue that the game's approach to its themes is too simplistic or crude, others see it as a bold and thought-provoking commentary on human nature.
As for the future of "Horses," only time will tell if the game will be reinstated on Steam or other digital storefronts. One thing is certain, however: the conversation sparked by this game's release will continue to simmer, with gamers and developers alike debating the finer points of artistic expression and social responsibility in the world of video games.
In a shocking turn of events, award-winning Italian developer Santa Ragione's latest project, "Horses," has been banned from sale on Steam, the largest digital store for PC games. The ban was announced just over a week ago, and other popular storefronts such as the Epic Games Store also pulled the game from their shelves, citing concerns over its content.
The controversy surrounding "Horses" centers around its graphic and disturbing themes, including scenes of physical violence, psychological abuse, gory imagery, and depiction of slavery. However, some argue that the game's approach to these topics is too simplistic and crude, failing to provide a genuine sense of shock or unease.
Gameplay-wise, "Horses" presents a bleak and unsettling experience, with players tasked with performing mundane chores in a nightmarish environment. The game's visuals are stark and unflinching, with characters rendered in a style that is both realistic and unnerving. While the sound design is minimal, with only the occasional hum of a camera or water pouring into a glass breaking the silence, this actually adds to the overall sense of unease.
But what sets "Horses" apart from other horror games is its ability to elicit discomfort without resorting to explicit gore or violence. The game's central theme – the exploration of power dynamics and human psychology – is presented in a way that is both thought-provoking and unsettling, but ultimately fails to spark any real outrage.
The decision to ban "Horses" from Steam has sparked debate among gamers and developers alike, with some arguing that it is an example of censorship gone too far. Others point out that the game's content may be disturbing, but it does not necessarily meet the criteria for what constitutes "hateful or abusive" content under the Epic Games Store's guidelines.
Ultimately, the controversy surrounding "Horses" serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between artistic expression and social responsibility in the world of video games. While some may argue that the game's approach to its themes is too simplistic or crude, others see it as a bold and thought-provoking commentary on human nature.
As for the future of "Horses," only time will tell if the game will be reinstated on Steam or other digital storefronts. One thing is certain, however: the conversation sparked by this game's release will continue to simmer, with gamers and developers alike debating the finer points of artistic expression and social responsibility in the world of video games.
. As a gamer, I think it's awesome when devs take risks and push boundaries with their content. "Horses" seems like an ambitious project that's trying to say something deeper than just slaying monsters or collecting loot. The whole point of horror games is to make you feel uneasy and uncomfortable, right? 
I get why some people might find the themes disturbing, but censorship just feels like a weak way to keep people from talking about it. What's next? Banning games that tackle tough issues? It's a slippery slope, man... 
it's not like its a kiddies game or anything... the themes are dark but at least its trying to spark some real conversation about power dynamics & human psychology rather than just relying on cheap gore & jump scares 
games r supposed to challenge ur mind & make u uncomfortable, right? 
i mean i know it sounds creepy but i'm kinda curious about it now is it really that bad or is it just getting all the attention because of its banned status? i don't get why they can't just make games that are a little uncomfortable you know like, life is uncomfortable sometimes 
and what's with the whole power dynamics thing does anyone actually understand what that means in the context of the game or am i just reading too much into it 
. Just another day, right? 
the game's trying to tackle some heavy themes and it's not for everyone, but that doesn't mean it deserves a ban 
what's next? are we gonna start banning books or movies because they might make someone uncomfortable 
I was thinking about how their lives are so peaceful and serene, and it made me wonder if we could learn something from them about appreciating the simple things in life. Have you ever seen those cows just chillin' in a field all day? It's like they're on some kind of hippie retreat 
the ban is like overreacting tbh. its not like the game is promoting violence or slavery lol. its just a weird and disturbing experience that makes you feel uncomfortable. what's wrong with being uncomfortable? its all about pushing boundaries and making people think. and btw, epic games store is just trying to be a buzzkill 
. I mean, I get why some people might find it disturbing, but at the same time, I think it's dope that a game is willing to tackle some heavy themes like power dynamics and psychological abuse. It's not always easy to make games that are both thought-provoking and uncomfortable, but if that's what "Horses" is trying to do, then props to 'em for being bold.
. It's like they're tapping into some deep-seated anxiety or something, and that's pretty cool. Of course, not everyone will appreciate it, but hey, being a good game is about sparking a conversation, right?
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. Still, can't deny that the game does sound kinda interesting in a weird way 
. Maybe I'll give it a try when (or if) it comes back to Steam 
. I've played some of the gameplay vids and it looks like it could be really unsettling, but at the same time, I think that's what makes horror games so good - they can be uncomfortable to watch 
. The game's trying to tackle some heavy stuff, but I'm not convinced it's going too far into explicit gore or anything like that 
. Maybe we'll see a re-release on Steam later down the line? 
. What really gets me is how we're always debating what constitutes "hateful or abusive" content... isn't that just kind of subjective? Can't we just have more nuanced conversations about these topics instead of trying to censor everything? 
. The fact that some people are already debating whether it's "hateful or abusive" content just shows how far we've come in acknowledging the complexities of human nature 
. I'm rooting for the game, even if it means being an outlier in my circle 
... can't wait to see what happens next!