Santa Ragione's controversial game "Horses" has sold over 18,000 copies, generating approximately $65,000 in net revenue. This financial boost allowed the studio to repay debts after facing significant challenges, including bans from major platforms Steam and Epic Games prior to its release. Despite this initial success, the studio remains uncertain about their future due to ongoing financial constraints. With the necessary funds to cover existing commitments, the team expresses hope that steady sales might one day support new projects. However, they continue to juggle additional job opportunities as they navigate the precarious indie game landscape.

What are the challenges faced by indie game developers like Santa Ragione?

Indie game developers like Santa Ragione often face challenges such as platform bans, financial instability, and limited resources, which can severely impact their ability to produce and market new titles. The case of "Horses" highlights the need for more transparent distribution processes and clearer guidelines from major digital storefronts, which can often lead to unintended consequences for indie games.

"Horses," released in November 2025, features a unique and unsettling premise where players manage a farm of naked humans wearing horse masks. The game raised eyebrows with its artistic direction and narrative style, showcasing Santa Ragione's commitment to pushing creative boundaries in the indie game scene. This unconventional approach, however, might have contributed to the difficulties they encountered in gaining distribution on popular platforms like Steam.