Santa Ragione, the innovative Italian indie studio behind favorites like Saturnalia and Mediterranea Inferno, is set to debut its latest game, Horses. Available on platforms such as the Epic Games Store, GOG, the Humble Store, and Itch.io, Horses will notably skip a Steam launch, which may mark a pivotal moment for the studio’s future.
The Steam Ban Controversy
Horses faced an unexpected hurdle when Steam decided to ban it, a decision that could lead to Santa Ragione’s closure. According to an interview with GamesIndustry.Biz, co-founder Pietro Righi Riva disclosed that Steam cited themes and imagery that don’t align with its guidelines, specifically mentioning content that appears to depict sexual conduct involving a minor. This decision remains unclarified by Steam, leaving Santa Ragione in the dark about the specific content in question.
Valve’s unusual request for a full build of Horses, despite its unfinished state, may have contributed to the ban. The studio speculates that an early scene involving a child and an adult woman might have triggered the decision, even though the game was later revised to depict an adult woman in the scene to avoid any misunderstandings.
The Future of Santa Ragione
The permanent ban from Steam is a significant blow for Santa Ragione, which may struggle to recover the development costs of Horses without a presence on the platform. Riva expressed that the studio’s future hinges on the success of Horses on other digital storefronts. Facing a possible shutdown, Riva remains hopeful, saying that unless Horses unexpectedly thrives, this could be the studio’s final project.
Despite the challenges, Riva cherishes the profound connection established with their audience through their unique games. Horses, set to release on December 2, 2025, will determine Santa Ragione’s fate, as the team hopes for a miracle to continue their creative journey.
