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Horses eventually debuted on GOG, the Humble Store, and Itch.io to generally positive reviews. However, Santa Ragione notes that “strong performance on smaller storefronts over two weeks doesn’t reflect the massive reach and potential that a full Steam launch would have offered.”
As the dominant force in PC game distribution, Steam’s absence is a nearly insurmountable hurdle for indie developers. To make matters worse, the Epic Games Store also de-listed the game just 24 hours before its planned launch, further isolating the title from mainstream audiences.
In their final statement, Santa Ragione called for industry-wide reform, advocating for transparency from monopolistic platforms regarding their gatekeeping processes.
“We must not let this small success distract us from the core issue: the urgent need for clear rules and accountability from distribution giants,” the studio stated. “For every game like Horses that gains visibility through controversy, countless others are silenced, delisted, or left in review limbo for arbitrary reasons. Many developers are simply too afraid of retaliation to speak out.”
While there is a slim hope that a major investor might step in to save Santa Ragione following this wave of media attention, the reality remains grim. Regardless of the outcome, one can only hope that such a talented creative team eventually finds a path back to game development.
Looking for more scares? Check out our list of the best horror games to play right now.
Source: gamesradar.com
