Early access on Steam, once a unique opportunity for select games, has now become a common occurrence for many projects. This option allowed developers to attract dedicated fans for testing in the initial stages of development.
Recently, it was discovered that some gamers were abusing the refund function on the platform. Steam’s rules allow for a refund if less than 2 hours of gameplay and less than 14 days have passed since purchase. Attackers played for ten hours during early access, then demanded a refund after the 2-hour limit upon full release. Valve, the platform owner, put a stop to this practice by changing its policy on April 25.
The new rule states, “The time spent in the game during the early access period will be considered when processing a refund request.” More information on Steam refunds can be found here. Essentially, all played hours at any stage are now taken into account.
These new rules are not perfect for developers or cautious buyers. Returning games on Steam is a delicate issue, especially for small indie studios. The 2-hour limit allows for evaluating a game’s performance and appeal, but many early versions are incomplete and gameplay can evolve over time. Some developers front-load attractive features to entice customers, and short indie projects can be completed in less than 2 hours, making refunds easy.
Valve aims to create a fairer system, considering the gaming industry’s realities of early releases and pre-orders. There is no perfect solution, but efforts are being made to address the challenges faced by both developers and players.