Epic Games Responds to Developer Claims Over Horses Storefront Removal
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Epic Games defends its communication with the developers of the controversial horror game Horses, insisting it provided clear policy context following the title's storefront removal.
Epic Games has pushed back against allegations that it ghosted the developer of the controversial indie horror title Horses. The studio behind the game, Santa Ragione, previously claimed that storefront operators made incorrect statements regarding its removal. Epic insists that it clearly communicated the specific policies the game violated, which ultimately prevented it from launching on the Epic Games Store as originally planned.
The game itself has drawn intense scrutiny and platform resistance since late last year. Horses is a first-person psychological horror experience featuring live-action sequences on a remote horse farm. Over a two-week narrative arc, players face unsettling interactions designed to test obedience and restraint. Despite securing an Adults Only rating through a ratings board questionnaire, the title faced a last-minute ban from both Steam and the Epic Games Store ahead of its December 2025 release.
This dispute highlights the ongoing friction between indie developers pushing provocative content and the content moderation policies of major digital storefronts. While Horses managed to sell over 18,000 copies and clear its financial hurdles despite the bans, the situation underscores how quickly platform access can vanish for games tackling extreme themes. As digital economies rely more heavily on strict storefront guidelines, developers navigating the space continue to face high-stakes battles over distribution rights.
Source: IGN South Africa
Tags: Epic Games Store, Indie Games, PC Gaming, Content Moderation, Horses
Original article: IGN South Africa