Nina Freeman Won't Uninstall Banned Steam Game: 'Everyone Should Play This'

In the ever-evolving landscape of PC gaming, some titles leave an indelible mark, transcending platform restrictions and player bans. For Nina Freeman, a celebrated narrative designer known for her work on games like Lost Records: Bloom & Rage and her personal autobiographical projects such as Cibele, there's one game that holds a permanent, unerasable place on her hard drive: Scarlet Hollow. This indie title, lauded for its deeply complex and branching narrative, has unfortunately found itself banned from Steam, a fact that Freeman finds deeply unfortunate.

Freeman, who is currently working on an unannounced project with Don't Nod and an indie horror game called Size Zero, shared her thoughts on this particular game during a recent interview. While the specifics of why Scarlet Hollow was removed from Steam are not detailed, the game's reputation for its ambitious storytelling and intricate plotlines is well-established. Its narrative structure reportedly offers players a multitude of choices that significantly impact the game's progression and outcome, a hallmark of Freeman's own design philosophy. The fact that a game with such narrative depth is inaccessible on a major platform like Steam is, in her view, a significant loss for players who might otherwise discover its unique qualities. She believes that "everyone should play this game," underscoring its perceived importance and quality despite its current unavailability on a primary digital storefront.

A Permanent Fixture

For many gamers, their PC is a digital shrine, housing titles that have shaped their experiences and offered unforgettable journeys. Freeman's decision to keep Scarlet Hollow installed, even with its Steam ban, speaks volumes about its impact. It's a testament to the power of games that prioritize narrative depth and player agency above all else. This dedication to a single, albeit banned, title highlights how crucial compelling storytelling is to Freeman, both as a player and as a creator who has contributed to critically acclaimed queer narratives, such as those found in Lost Records: Bloom & Rage, which recently earned a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Video Game.

The Power of Choice

The community surrounding games like Scarlet Hollow often rallies around titles that push boundaries and offer experiences that mainstream games might shy away from. While direct community reactions to its Steam ban might be fragmented due to its removal, the ongoing discussion around games with significant narrative branching and mature themes continues to thrive. For fans of narrative-driven experiences, the inability to access such a highly recommended game is a point of frustration, fueling discussions about platform censorship and the preservation of unique interactive art.

What's Next

While Scarlet Hollow remains a personal fixture for Freeman, her professional focus is split between her unannounced project at Don't Nod and her independent horror game, Size Zero. Further details on these upcoming titles are expected to be revealed as development progresses.