Sales of Santa Ragione's Horror Game Horses Reach 18,000, But Studio's Future Remains Uncertain

Despite being removed from Steam and the Epic Games Store, Santa Ragione's divisive horror title Horses has amassed over 18,000 sales. In a recent interview, the Italian developer expressed concerns about the studio's potential closure due to Valve's decision not to host Horses on Steam, limiting its reach and revenue potential. Following the game's ban, Epic Games Store also withdrew its support, further exacerbating the issue. However, after generating approximately $65,000 in net revenue, the team remains cautiously optimistic. The revenue will be used to settle debts and pay royalties, but it may not be enough to guarantee the studio's long-term survival. According to Santa Ragione, 'the money primarily covers obligations created by a prolonged end of development,' and while steady sales may enable the team to fund a new prototype in the future, they will have to take on other projects and jobs in the meantime. The studio emphasized that the success of Horses does not offset the impact of the Steam ban and subsequent development delays, which led to funding struggles, debt, and team members seeking alternative work. Santa Ragione is advocating for clearer guidelines, transparent processes, and greater accountability from dominant distribution platforms, highlighting the need for reform to prevent similar situations in the future.