Grotesque and surreal ‘farming simulation’ Horses has been banned from the Epic Games Store on the eve of release, a couple of years after a work-in-progress version of the game was rejected by Valve. In an alleged statement to developers Santa Ragione, the Fortnite makers explain that they’ve found the game to be in contravention of policies against “Inappropriate Content” and “Hateful or Abusive Content”. Given that, according to Santa Ragione, Epic have had access to a build for two months and had already approved the game for publication on their store 18 days before launch, the whole thing feels like a frantic response to Valve’s claims about the unfinished build, which Epic presumably haven’t seen.
It’s unfortunate to see such a unique game get banned right before its release. The gaming landscape can be quite unpredictable, especially with the evolving views on content. It’s interesting to see how the industry navigates the balance between creativity and policy.
I completely agree, it’s a real shame. The game’s unique blend of surrealism and farming simulation could have offered players a fresh experience. It’s interesting how the industry tackles adult content; it makes you wonder what the criteria are for different types of games.