Valve, a prominent video game distributor, has recently made changes to its refund policy for games purchased through the Steam platform. This update comes in response to a loophole that allowed users to play Early Access and Advanced Access games for extended periods before requesting a refund.
Initially, Valve’s refund policy allowed users to request a refund for any game within 14 days of purchase, as long as they had not played more than two hours. This policy was intended to protect consumers and provide them with the opportunity to try out games before committing to them.
However, Valve noticed that some users were taking advantage of the system by playing Early Access and Advanced Access games for significant amounts of time and then requesting refunds. In response, Valve has updated its policy to include playtime within these programs against the two-hour limit for refunds.
This change means that users who play games in Early Access or Advanced Access will need to be more mindful of their playtime if they intend to request a refund. Any time spent playing these games before their official release will now count towards the two-hour limit, making it more challenging to qualify for a refund.
Previously, users could pre-purchase titles on Steam and request a refund at any time before the game’s release date. The 14-day/two-hour refund period would then start from the game’s release date. This differs from the updated policy, where playtime in Early Access and Advanced Access games is factored into the refund limit.
Valve’s decision to update its refund policy for Early Access games reflects a commitment to fair practices and ensuring that users are not exploiting the system. By closing this loophole, Valve aims to maintain transparency and protect both consumers and developers in the gaming industry. Players should take note of these changes when purchasing games through the Steam platform to avoid any confusion or inconvenience.
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