Horses Dev Challenges Epic Games Store Claim of Studio Support
Epic Games Store faces challenges over its content policies, particularly relating to the horror game *Horses* developed by Santa Ragione. Following claims from an Epic executive that the studio made incorrect statements about the game’s content, Santa Ragione issued a statement refuting these allegations.
Developer’s Response to Epic Games Store
Santa Ragione expressed discontent over how Epic Games Store handled the distribution of *Horses*. The studio stated that it received a notification only 24 hours before the game’s intended release, indicating Epic would no longer support the title due to alleged violations of its Content Guidelines. These guidelines include prohibitions on “inappropriate content” and “hateful or abusive content.”
Epic Games Store’s Content Guidelines
According to Epic, their review found that *Horses* contravened several of their policies. Specific concerns included:
- Promotion of abuse and animal abuse
- Explicit or frequent depictions of sexual behavior
These factors contributed to the game receiving an Adults Only (AO) rating from their internal review process, which Epic does not permit for distribution on their platform.
Impact on Santa Ragione
The studio’s founder, Pietro Righi Riva, has conveyed serious concerns regarding the studio’s financial future. He noted that if *Horses* did not perform well, the company could face closure.
Disputed Claims and Community Response
Santa Ragione protested that Epic’s claims about the game’s content were unfounded. They pointed out that Epic has yet to provide any official documentation concerning the AO rating, which typically includes a link for developers to appeal decisions. The studio reflected that evidence supporting their position is readily available through gameplay videos and variations in the game’s distribution across different platforms.
Despite these challenges, Santa Ragione reports that it has managed to generate sufficient revenue to cover development loans and royalties owed to the game’s creator, Andrea Lucco Borlera.
Conclusion
The ongoing dispute between Santa Ragione and Epic Games Store highlights significant issues surrounding content moderation and developer support. As this situation unfolds, the potential impact on indie developers continues to be a subject of industry concern.
