Santa Ragione
@santaragione.com
The Righeira of Video Games. https://www.santaragione.com
Discord community: https://discord.com/invite/rsuwh9HbPJ
Discord community: https://discord.com/invite/rsuwh9HbPJ
Pinned
Yesterday, the Epic Games Store decided at the last minute not to distribute the game, after having previously approved a release build. HORSES is otherwise now available on GOG, Itch, and Humble for $4.99. www.horses.wtf
Reposted by Santa Ragione
Horses - The Most Normal Game Ever | Renegade Cut
YouTube video by Renegade Cut
www.youtube.com
December 11, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Reposted by Santa Ragione
"gameplay loop" is a malign thoughtpattern, free yourself from this meaningless toss
December 14, 2025 at 10:45 PM
"gameplay loop" is a malign thoughtpattern, free yourself from this meaningless toss
Reposted by Santa Ragione
It's my birthday! The ONLY thing I want is more subscribers to the exp. Patreon! It's just $1/month for consistent, quality video game criticism, but my gift to you TODAY ONLY (til 11:59pm EST) is 90% off the first month with the code 09BAA.
That's like 10¢! But if you can't sub, please share!
That's like 10¢! But if you can't sub, please share!
exp. magazine | Patreon
Established 2009, an independent video game magazine.
www.patreon.com
December 14, 2025 at 5:00 AM
It's my birthday! The ONLY thing I want is more subscribers to the exp. Patreon! It's just $1/month for consistent, quality video game criticism, but my gift to you TODAY ONLY (til 11:59pm EST) is 90% off the first month with the code 09BAA.
That's like 10¢! But if you can't sub, please share!
That's like 10¢! But if you can't sub, please share!
Reposted by Santa Ragione
Subscribe today and get immediate access to my essay on Horses, but also get subscriber exclusives like my current posts on Christmas games: www.patreon.com/posts/christ... and older articles like my solution for A Bard's Tale! expzine.com/2025/02/20/h...
Code 09BAA for 90% off the first month!
Code 09BAA for 90% off the first month!
Horses (Santa Ragione, 2025) | exp. magazine
Get more from exp. magazine on Patreon
www.patreon.com
December 14, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Subscribe today and get immediate access to my essay on Horses, but also get subscriber exclusives like my current posts on Christmas games: www.patreon.com/posts/christ... and older articles like my solution for A Bard's Tale! expzine.com/2025/02/20/h...
Code 09BAA for 90% off the first month!
Code 09BAA for 90% off the first month!
Reposted by Santa Ragione
At the very edge of gaming's most commercially-charged evening, we bring you @midfalutin.bsky.social's interview with the embattled developers of Horses, a game conceived and executed as a corrective to the very nature of modern gaming.
vgbees.com/in-search-of...
vgbees.com/in-search-of...
In Search of a Mature Medium - VGBees
Early in the latest game from acclaimed Italian developer Santa Ragione, you turn the corner and you see them: horses that aren’t horses. They are...
vgbees.com
December 11, 2025 at 10:00 PM
At the very edge of gaming's most commercially-charged evening, we bring you @midfalutin.bsky.social's interview with the embattled developers of Horses, a game conceived and executed as a corrective to the very nature of modern gaming.
vgbees.com/in-search-of...
vgbees.com/in-search-of...
Reposted by Santa Ragione
Reposted by Santa Ragione
Look I mispronounce shit all the time but the *disrespect* in calling one of the defining horror game developers of our time “Fractional Games”, and not correct it, blows my mind.
December 12, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Look I mispronounce shit all the time but the *disrespect* in calling one of the defining horror game developers of our time “Fractional Games”, and not correct it, blows my mind.
Reposted by Santa Ragione
Let’s hope whoever decided to ban HORSES didn’t watch that Divinity trailer last night! 😱
December 12, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Let’s hope whoever decided to ban HORSES didn’t watch that Divinity trailer last night! 😱
Reposted by Santa Ragione
I'm starting to think it wasn't a good idea to put all the world's communications in the hands of three American companies
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Meta shuts down global accounts linked to abortion advice and queer content
More than 50 organisations report sites being restricted or removed, with abortion hotlines blocked and posts showing non-explicit nudity triggering warnings
www.theguardian.com
December 11, 2025 at 1:17 PM
I'm starting to think it wasn't a good idea to put all the world's communications in the hands of three American companies
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Let’s hope whoever decided to ban HORSES didn’t watch that Divinity trailer last night! 😱
December 12, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Let’s hope whoever decided to ban HORSES didn’t watch that Divinity trailer last night! 😱
Reposted by Santa Ragione
So, “Order of the Sinking Star” by Thekla was just announced, which takes several small free games (two of which are mine) and gives them a major graphical upgrade and mashes up their rulesets. I haven’t been very involved but it’s a great concept and looks cool.
December 12, 2025 at 1:55 AM
So, “Order of the Sinking Star” by Thekla was just announced, which takes several small free games (two of which are mine) and gives them a major graphical upgrade and mashes up their rulesets. I haven’t been very involved but it’s a great concept and looks cool.
Reposted by Santa Ragione
HORSES!! I loved this extremely dark and controversial game, and I made a whole dang video on why:
youtu.be/0uu4v7vI638
youtu.be/0uu4v7vI638
This banned steam game is a Masterpiece
YouTube video by Katie and Catburger
youtu.be
December 11, 2025 at 11:23 PM
HORSES!! I loved this extremely dark and controversial game, and I made a whole dang video on why:
youtu.be/0uu4v7vI638
youtu.be/0uu4v7vI638
Reposted by Santa Ragione
See also: BAFTA's "Game Beyond Entertainment", which ends up as a catch-all for games with PoC in them + social impact games. While it's an honour to be nominated for a BAFTA I was utterly baffled that *Thirsty Suitors* a game about fighting your hot toxic exes and wuxia cooking was in this category
On Games for Impact:
“It's good that it's there, but it's also, in a way, kind of insulting. Because giving a special award for a game for actually meaning something or having some human content... we should be aspiring for that in every category."
postgame.substack.com/p/the-histor...
“It's good that it's there, but it's also, in a way, kind of insulting. Because giving a special award for a game for actually meaning something or having some human content... we should be aspiring for that in every category."
postgame.substack.com/p/the-histor...
December 11, 2025 at 5:18 PM
See also: BAFTA's "Game Beyond Entertainment", which ends up as a catch-all for games with PoC in them + social impact games. While it's an honour to be nominated for a BAFTA I was utterly baffled that *Thirsty Suitors* a game about fighting your hot toxic exes and wuxia cooking was in this category
Reposted by Santa Ragione
This week!
🐎 HORSES ban
🔮 Metroid Prime 4 thoughts
👻 Séance of Blake Manor interview
And much more!
youtu.be/mIfXPbOe460?...
🐎 HORSES ban
🔮 Metroid Prime 4 thoughts
👻 Séance of Blake Manor interview
And much more!
youtu.be/mIfXPbOe460?...
We played the banned game (Horses) + Metroid Prime 4 review chat | Friends Per Second #84
YouTube video by Skill Up
youtu.be
December 8, 2025 at 12:25 AM
This week!
🐎 HORSES ban
🔮 Metroid Prime 4 thoughts
👻 Séance of Blake Manor interview
And much more!
youtu.be/mIfXPbOe460?...
🐎 HORSES ban
🔮 Metroid Prime 4 thoughts
👻 Séance of Blake Manor interview
And much more!
youtu.be/mIfXPbOe460?...
Reposted by Santa Ragione
Valve HQ:
"AAA game about murdering a lot of Muslims and destroying their homes" "ship it"
"solo game in which you fight the IDF" "ban the savages"
"indie game that criticizes Western power dynamics with a horse metaphor" "unacceptable"
"This review hates Muslims" "ahh smell that thats freedom"
"AAA game about murdering a lot of Muslims and destroying their homes" "ship it"
"solo game in which you fight the IDF" "ban the savages"
"indie game that criticizes Western power dynamics with a horse metaphor" "unacceptable"
"This review hates Muslims" "ahh smell that thats freedom"
Valve has now rejected my complaint, confirming that "I don't like muslims" is a valid reason to leave a negative review on a game on Steam
This is where we're at now.
This is where we're at now.
December 11, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Valve HQ:
"AAA game about murdering a lot of Muslims and destroying their homes" "ship it"
"solo game in which you fight the IDF" "ban the savages"
"indie game that criticizes Western power dynamics with a horse metaphor" "unacceptable"
"This review hates Muslims" "ahh smell that thats freedom"
"AAA game about murdering a lot of Muslims and destroying their homes" "ship it"
"solo game in which you fight the IDF" "ban the savages"
"indie game that criticizes Western power dynamics with a horse metaphor" "unacceptable"
"This review hates Muslims" "ahh smell that thats freedom"
Reposted by Santa Ragione
One of the many things worth thinking about re: Steam's ban on Horses is how it highlights is the centralization problem caused by having such a monolithic (and maybe mono-something-else) retail giant.
Independent studios with even humble commercial aspirations are chained to Valve's whims.
Independent studios with even humble commercial aspirations are chained to Valve's whims.
December 4, 2025 at 12:41 AM
One of the many things worth thinking about re: Steam's ban on Horses is how it highlights is the centralization problem caused by having such a monolithic (and maybe mono-something-else) retail giant.
Independent studios with even humble commercial aspirations are chained to Valve's whims.
Independent studios with even humble commercial aspirations are chained to Valve's whims.
Reposted by Santa Ragione
Horses is being censored to the extent that the censoring storefronts dominate distribution. That should be pretty simple to understand, no?
The effects of censorship are not really from the consumer (*can I get this media?") point of view; they control what's commercially viable to make, upstream.
The effects of censorship are not really from the consumer (*can I get this media?") point of view; they control what's commercially viable to make, upstream.
December 4, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Horses is being censored to the extent that the censoring storefronts dominate distribution. That should be pretty simple to understand, no?
The effects of censorship are not really from the consumer (*can I get this media?") point of view; they control what's commercially viable to make, upstream.
The effects of censorship are not really from the consumer (*can I get this media?") point of view; they control what's commercially viable to make, upstream.
Reposted by Santa Ragione
Valve has now rejected my complaint, confirming that "I don't like muslims" is a valid reason to leave a negative review on a game on Steam
This is where we're at now.
This is where we're at now.
December 10, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Valve has now rejected my complaint, confirming that "I don't like muslims" is a valid reason to leave a negative review on a game on Steam
This is where we're at now.
This is where we're at now.
Reposted by Santa Ragione
Yesterday, the Epic Games Store decided at the last minute not to distribute the game, after having previously approved a release build. HORSES is otherwise now available on GOG, Itch, and Humble for $4.99. www.horses.wtf
December 2, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Yesterday, the Epic Games Store decided at the last minute not to distribute the game, after having previously approved a release build. HORSES is otherwise now available on GOG, Itch, and Humble for $4.99. www.horses.wtf
Reposted by Santa Ragione
This is a must read for anyone that cares about games as a medium.
Has the discourse moved on yet? I hope not, because this is the best thing I've written this year. For supporters, I go deep on a comparison you will have heard a few times: On Horses, Salò, and Pasolini's "indigestible art." expzine.com/2025/12/09/h...
Patreon: www.patreon.com/posts/horses...
Patreon: www.patreon.com/posts/horses...
December 10, 2025 at 2:30 PM
This is a must read for anyone that cares about games as a medium.
This is a must read for anyone that cares about games as a medium.
Has the discourse moved on yet? I hope not, because this is the best thing I've written this year. For supporters, I go deep on a comparison you will have heard a few times: On Horses, Salò, and Pasolini's "indigestible art." expzine.com/2025/12/09/h...
Patreon: www.patreon.com/posts/horses...
Patreon: www.patreon.com/posts/horses...
December 10, 2025 at 2:30 PM
This is a must read for anyone that cares about games as a medium.
Reposted by Santa Ragione
"Kafkaesque" really is the best word to describe how Steam and Epic has treated them.
www.polygon.com/horses-banne...
www.polygon.com/horses-banne...
‘We might not be able to do a new thing’: Horses studio won't be working on a new game after Steam delisting
Director Pietro Righi Riva wants players to reflect on why the game was banned
www.polygon.com
December 10, 2025 at 9:39 AM
"Kafkaesque" really is the best word to describe how Steam and Epic has treated them.
www.polygon.com/horses-banne...
www.polygon.com/horses-banne...
Reposted by Santa Ragione
I’m can’t help it, I gotta say it. It’s just $1 USD (or equivalent) to subscribe and read this. Even if this was the only thing I published this month it would be worth it. I want you to read this and the support means everything to me right now.
Has the discourse moved on yet? I hope not, because this is the best thing I've written this year. For supporters, I go deep on a comparison you will have heard a few times: On Horses, Salò, and Pasolini's "indigestible art." expzine.com/2025/12/09/h...
Patreon: www.patreon.com/posts/horses...
Patreon: www.patreon.com/posts/horses...
December 10, 2025 at 3:05 AM
I’m can’t help it, I gotta say it. It’s just $1 USD (or equivalent) to subscribe and read this. Even if this was the only thing I published this month it would be worth it. I want you to read this and the support means everything to me right now.
Reposted by Santa Ragione
Has the discourse moved on yet? I hope not, because this is the best thing I've written this year. For supporters, I go deep on a comparison you will have heard a few times: On Horses, Salò, and Pasolini's "indigestible art." expzine.com/2025/12/09/h...
Patreon: www.patreon.com/posts/horses...
Patreon: www.patreon.com/posts/horses...
December 9, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Has the discourse moved on yet? I hope not, because this is the best thing I've written this year. For supporters, I go deep on a comparison you will have heard a few times: On Horses, Salò, and Pasolini's "indigestible art." expzine.com/2025/12/09/h...
Patreon: www.patreon.com/posts/horses...
Patreon: www.patreon.com/posts/horses...
Reposted by Santa Ragione
Absolutely fucking outrageous that Steam acts like a petty little censor, dictating what gamers can play. Proper unreconstructed 1980s bullshit.
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/d...
Horror game Horses has been banned from sale – but is it as controversial as you’d think?
Pulled by Steam and Epic Games Store, indie horror Horses shook up the industry before it was even released. Now it’s out, all the drama surrounding it seems superfluous
www.theguardian.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Absolutely fucking outrageous that Steam acts like a petty little censor, dictating what gamers can play. Proper unreconstructed 1980s bullshit.
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/games/2025/d...