Epic bans indie game Horses from its storefront 24 hours before release

"Santa Ragione said Epic notified the studio of its decision just 24 hours before the game was released on Tuesday, despite approving Horses for sale on the Epic Games Store weeks earlier. "Once again, no specific indication of problematic content in the game was given, only broad and demonstrably incorrect claims that it violated their content guidelines," the studio wrote in an FAQ. "Our appeal was denied twelve hours later without further explanation.""

"According to an email from Epic that Santa Ragione shared, the company banned Horses from its store due to violations of its inappropriate content and hateful or abusive content policies, the latter of which "prohibits content that promotes abuse and animal abuse." It also determined that Horses had received an adults-only rating, and such games aren't allowed on its store."

Indie developer Santa Ragione faces distribution bans for Horses on both Steam and the Epic Games Store, threatening the studio's ability to recoup its investment. Epic reversed earlier approval and notified the developer 24 hours before release, then denied an appeal without detailed explanation. Epic cited violations of inappropriate content and hateful or abusive content policies and noted an adults-only rating is not permitted on its store. Horses portrays nude human adults wearing equine masks and explores themes of violence and abuse; the developer maintains the game critiques abuse and avoids explicit sexual content through pixelation.

Read at Engadget