Overview
- Epic stated the game violated its Inappropriate Content and Hateful or Abusive Content policies after staff played the build.
- Epic said it completed the IARC questionnaire itself, received an Adults Only result it does not allow, and could not provide a certificate because it was not an official submission.
- According to Epic, Santa Ragione appealed the decision and the store re‑reviewed the content before confirming the ban would remain.
- Santa Ragione countered that Epic made provably incorrect claims, withheld details, failed to share the alleged AO IARC documentation, and the game holds PEGI 18 and ESRB M ratings via IARC.
- HORSES was barred from Steam and then blocked by Epic just before its December 2025 launch, yet it remains on GOG, Humble, and itch.io, with the studio saying sales have at least covered loans and royalties.