Controversial horror “Horses” sells 10,000 copies — but the fate of studio Santa Ragione remains uncertain

The horror title rejected from release on Steam and the Epic Games Store became a sales hit on GOG — but that success may not be enough to save the studio.

Italian developer Santa Ragione, known for horror games like Saturnalia and Horses, remains perilously close to shutting down, co‑founder and producer Pietro Righi Riva told Polygon.

Riva said public support and the spotlight after the controversy over Horses being blocked on Steam and Epic Games “played a major role,” yet they were not sufficient to rescue the studio. Sales surged following widespread coverage and player reaction, but the boost fell short of restoring Santa Ragione to financial stability.

According to the developers’ estimates, Horses moved roughly 10,000 copies in its first week — an impressive outcome for a game denied access to the largest storefronts. Still, the revenue did not even cover investor outlays. Riva acknowledged the project might eventually break even, but the funds won’t be enough to finance a new title or sustain the studio’s ongoing operations.

Riva emphasized that Santa Ragione has not closed its doors yet and is still hoping for an investor to step in. However, he warned that the chance Horses will be the studio’s final release remains very high.

For context, Horses was initially blocked from publication on Steam and subsequently on the Epic Games Store, with Valve and Epic citing “unacceptable content” and allegations of promoting animal violence. Nevertheless, the game launched on GOG on December 2 and unexpectedly climbed to the top of that platform’s sales charts.

Source: iXBT.games