GOG Sticks Up for Independent Developers as Valve Bans Narrative Horror Game Horses

In a move that has sparked both outrage and support among the gaming community, rival storefront GOG (formerly known as Good Old Games) has announced that it will be releasing narrative horror game Horses next week, despite being banned from Steam by Valve.

Background: The Controversy Surrounding Horses

The game's developer, Santa Ragione, is an independent studio that had been working on the game for several years. However, when the game was finally ready for release, Valve announced that it would be banning Horses from its platform due to a number of reasons, including "violations of Steam's guidelines" and "concerns about user safety."

GOG Steps In as a Lifeline

GOG, which has always positioned itself as a haven for indie developers and gamers looking for alternative options to the big two (Steam and Epic Games Store), saw an opportunity to step in and save Horses from the chopping block.

"We're committed to supporting independent developers and ensuring that they have a platform to reach their audience," said Jakub Wiśniewski, GOG's CEO. "We believe that Horses is a great game, and we're excited to offer it to our users."

What Does This Mean for the Gaming Industry?

The ban from Steam has sent shockwaves through the gaming industry, with many gamers and developers expressing outrage at Valve's decision.

"This is a clear example of Valve's bias towards big-name publishers and franchises," said one gamer. "They're stifling innovation and creativity by banning games that don't fit their narrow definition of what makes a 'good' game."

On the other hand, some have argued that Valve's decision was necessary to prevent Horses from being released into the wild without proper moderation.

"Steam has a responsibility to ensure that its users are not exposed to content that could be harmful or disturbing," said another gamer. "Valve made the right call in this case."

GOG's Support for Independent Developers

GOG's decision to release Horses on its platform is seen as a major coup for the indie developer community.

"Santa Ragione is an amazing studio, and we're thrilled to have them on board," said Wiśniewski. "We believe that their game has a lot of potential, and we're committed to supporting them every step of the way."

What's Next for Horses?

With GOG releasing Horses next week, fans of the game can look forward to playing it on one of the most popular PC gaming platforms out there.

"We're excited to finally share our game with the world," said Santa Ragione. "We've worked incredibly hard on this project, and we're confident that gamers are going to love it."

Conclusion

The controversy surrounding Horses has highlighted the ongoing tensions between Valve, Steam, and the independent developer community.

While some have criticized GOG for its decision to release the game despite the ban from Steam, others see it as a victory for innovation and creativity in the gaming industry.

One thing is certain: Horses is going to be a game that gamers will be talking about for a long time to come. And with GOG's support, fans of narrative horror games can look forward to experiencing one of the most exciting new releases of the year.

Key Takeaways

• GOG stands by independent developers: Despite being banned from Steam, GOG has announced that it will be releasing Horses on its platform.
• Controversy surrounding Valve's decision: The ban from Steam has sparked outrage among gamers and developers, with some arguing that it was necessary to prevent the game from being released without proper moderation.
• Support for indie developers is key: GOG's commitment to supporting independent developers like Santa Ragione is seen as a major coup for the gaming community.

Future Developments

The future of Horses on GOG remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: fans of narrative horror games are going to be eagerly anticipating its release. With GOG's support and a growing community of gamers behind it, Horses is poised to become a major player in the gaming industry.

What You Can Do

If you're interested in supporting independent developers like Santa Ragione, consider checking out GOG for your gaming needs.