Steam Revises Early Access Game Refund Policy, Allowing Refunds for Unfinished Games

Valve, the company behind the popular PC gaming platform Steam, has announced a significant change to its refund policy for early access games. Under the revised policy, players can now request a refund for an early access game at any time if the game remains unfinished, regardless of how much time they have spent playing it.

Previously, Steam's refund policy had a two-hour playtime limit and a 14-day refund period for all games, including early access titles. However, this policy led to situations where players could extensively play an early access game before its official release and still be eligible for a refund. "Playtime during Advanced Access now counts toward Steam's refund period," stated Valve in the announcement.

The updated policy introduces a new designation called "Advanced Access" to differentiate it from the traditional "Early Access" model. With Advanced Access, any playtime accumulated during the pre-release period will count towards the two-hour refund limit. The 14-day refund period will start on the game's official release date.

Why this matters: The change aims to provide more transparency and protection for consumers who purchase games that are still in development. It addresses concerns over the quality and progress of some early access titles and gives players more control when investing in unfinished games on the platform.

Valve's decision to revise the refund policy comes as Steam faces increasing competition from other digital storefronts like the Epic Games Store. By offering more consumer-friendly policies, Steam hopes to maintain its position as the dominant platform for PC gaming.

The new refund policy applies to all games that offer early access or advanced access, including those that provide it as part of a pre-purchase bonus. Valve clarified that the policy change does not affect beta tests, as the time spent in beta versions will not be counted towards the playtime limit.

In a statement, Valve emphasized the importance of the change, saying, "This update is part of Steam's ongoing efforts to improve its refund policy and consumer rights for digital game purchases." The company also noted that it will continue to monitor the impact of the revised policy and make further adjustments if necessary to ensure a fair and balanced ecosystem for both players and developers.

Key Takeaways

• Valve updates Steam's refund policy for early access games.
• Players can now request a refund for unfinished early access games.
• Playtime during "Advanced Access" counts towards the 2-hour refund limit.
• The change aims to provide more transparency and consumer protection.
• The policy update is part of Steam's ongoing efforts to improve refund policies.