The world of video games faces a new challenge related to censorship and mature content, as demonstrated by the recent removal of the game Horses from platforms like Steam and Epic. This event has sparked a significant debate regarding the viability of horror titles in today’s digital environment. Talha Kaya and Jack Co, developers of the upcoming horror game Abide, have been vocal about the pressure they feel regarding the acceptance of transgressive content in the industry.
They fear that what happened with Horses could happen with their game
Kaya, who enjoyed Horses, defended the work of its creators, stating that they deserve space in digital stores. “I think it’s a good game and there is no pornographic content in it. It should be available,” she commented. For his part, Jack King-Spooner criticized the perception of video games as mere children’s entertainment and argued that this view is behind the existence of restrictions on bolder titles.
Both developers are in the midst of a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter for Abide, a game that promises unsettling content. On their page, they warned about the climate of censorship affecting the industry. “Horror games are being pressured to be removed due to their mature nature,” they noted, referring to Horses.
Opinions about Horses are diverse; while Kaya and King-Spooner find merit in its approach, critic Maddi Chilton argues that the real problem lies in the game’s pacing, which does not allow for the necessary tension to build between its most impactful scenes. This slowdown could be one of the reasons behind its controversy and eventual removal from larger platforms.
As Abide seeks to meet its funding goals, the future of horror in the world of video games seems uncertain, but willing to challenge the established norms.
