A Banned Game That's More Conversation Than Controversy: Can We Handle Horses?
The latest victim of a digital store ban list is Italian developer Santa Ragione's thought-provoking horror game, Horses. The game was removed from Steam and the Epic Games Store earlier this month due to its graphic content, sparking heated debates about video games as art and censorship.
Despite being banned from two major platforms, Horses has found success on smaller digital storefronts like itch.io and GOG. But what makes the game so provocative that it warranted removal? At first glance, the answer might seem straightforward – the game's unflinching depiction of physical violence, psychological abuse, and gory imagery seems to scream "censorship-worthy content."
However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that Horses is more nuanced than its initial reputation suggests. The game follows Anselmo, a young Italian man sent to work on a farm where the animals – which are actually human beings in disguise – exhibit disturbing behavior.
The gameplay revolves around performing mundane tasks in a surreal and unsettling environment, with no explicit gore or violence. Instead of shocking the player, Horses relies on psychological tension and unease to convey its themes of power dynamics and violence. The game's use of simplistic graphics also serves as a commentary on the nature of representation in art.
The controversy surrounding Horses has shifted the focus away from the content itself and onto the debate about video games as art and the role of censorship. While some argue that the game's content is too graphic for mainstream consumption, others see it as a thought-provoking exploration of complex themes.
Ultimately, Horses may have sparked more conversation than controversy. Rather than being a shocking or radical work, it is an interesting meditation on violence and power dynamics that challenges players to confront their own assumptions about the world around them. As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: Horses has become a symbol of the ongoing discussion about video games, censorship, and artistic expression.
The latest victim of a digital store ban list is Italian developer Santa Ragione's thought-provoking horror game, Horses. The game was removed from Steam and the Epic Games Store earlier this month due to its graphic content, sparking heated debates about video games as art and censorship.
Despite being banned from two major platforms, Horses has found success on smaller digital storefronts like itch.io and GOG. But what makes the game so provocative that it warranted removal? At first glance, the answer might seem straightforward – the game's unflinching depiction of physical violence, psychological abuse, and gory imagery seems to scream "censorship-worthy content."
However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that Horses is more nuanced than its initial reputation suggests. The game follows Anselmo, a young Italian man sent to work on a farm where the animals – which are actually human beings in disguise – exhibit disturbing behavior.
The gameplay revolves around performing mundane tasks in a surreal and unsettling environment, with no explicit gore or violence. Instead of shocking the player, Horses relies on psychological tension and unease to convey its themes of power dynamics and violence. The game's use of simplistic graphics also serves as a commentary on the nature of representation in art.
The controversy surrounding Horses has shifted the focus away from the content itself and onto the debate about video games as art and the role of censorship. While some argue that the game's content is too graphic for mainstream consumption, others see it as a thought-provoking exploration of complex themes.
Ultimately, Horses may have sparked more conversation than controversy. Rather than being a shocking or radical work, it is an interesting meditation on violence and power dynamics that challenges players to confront their own assumptions about the world around them. As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: Horses has become a symbol of the ongoing discussion about video games, censorship, and artistic expression.
! I mean, who says you can't have conversations about heavy topics like violence and power dynamics in games? It's all about how you present it, right? The fact that Horses is trying to tackle these issues without resorting to explicit gore or violence is actually kinda refreshing. And the whole "animals are people in disguise" thing is just a clever way to explore those themes. I think we're at a point where games can be more than just entertainment – they can spark discussions and challenge our perspectives. Let's keep having this conversation! 
thought-provoking and stuff! I mean, who needs gore and explicit violence when you can have psychological tension and unease? 
The way they use simplistic graphics to make a commentary on representation in art is so cool #HorsesGame #VideoGamesAsArt #CensorshipDebate
. It's like, shouldn't we be having these conversations about violence and power dynamics instead of trying to ban games? 
The fact that Horses has sparked more conversation than controversy is a good thing in my book #HorsesIsMoreThanJustAGame #ConversationsMatter
. I mean, back in my day we played all sorts of games that would be considered "too mature" now, but we didn't have a fuss about it. We just played 'em and figured it was all part of growing up. This game Horses is like something out of a David Lynch movie 
game might be triggering for some but others find it thought-provoking 
And I love how it pokes fun at representation in games. It's like, the devs r sayin', "Hey, let's not take ourselves too seriously and explore the weird stuff instead." 
GOG & itch.io are doin' them a solid by still lettin' ppl play it. Can't wait 2 see what other hidden gems r gonna get banned 
. It's like, just because it's not your cup of tea doesn't mean it's a bad thing. The fact that it's sparking conversations about video games as art and censorship is actually a good thing! It means the game is making people think and question their own assumptions.
. Sometimes, subtlety can be just as powerful as explicitness. Horses might not be for everyone, but that doesn't mean it's not worth playing or discussing. It's actually kinda refreshing to see a game that challenges players to think about the world in a different way.
. It means people won't get to experience this unique and thought-provoking game for themselves. But hey, who knows? Maybe it'll find an even bigger audience on smaller digital storefronts 
. Either way, I'm kinda glad this game exists and is making waves in the gaming community 
I mean, who gets to decide what's "too graphic" for us, anyway? 
The game's all about sparking conversations, not trying to shock people. And I'm totally here for that. Can't wait to dive in and experience Horses for myself! 
...but what do u guys think? should we be able to decide for ourselves whether or not a game is "okay"? 
. The game's creator, Santa Ragione, is clearly trying to stir up some controversy and get people talking 
. But what's really going on here? Have we become so desensitized to violence and abuse that we need games like Horses to shock us into awareness? 
. The game may be thought-provoking, but let's not forget the elephant in the room: the true purpose of this whole ordeal is to push people towards a certain agenda 
.