One of the most notable advantages of Steam has been your refund policy, which allows users to return a game if it does not meet their expectations. However, recently, Steam has introduced significant changes to this policyespecially when it comes to games in early access.
Until now, Users could return a game within 14 days of purchase if they had not accumulated more than two hours of gameplay. This rule also applied to early access games, which could be played indefinitely and still be returned before their official release, regardless of accumulated play time. The previous policy stated that:
When you pre-purchase a title on Steam (and have paid for the title in advance), you can request a refund at any time before the title is released. The standard refund period of 14 days/two hours, starting from the game’s release date, also applies.
Steam refund policy so far
However, Steam’s new policy has removed early access flexibility. Now, Any hour played before the official release date counts toward the two-hour limit allowed for a refund. The updated policy reads as follows:
Generally, if you purchase a title on Steam before the release date, the two-hour playtime limit for a refund applies, but the 14-day return window does not begin until the release date. For example, if you purchase a game in Early Access or Advanced Access, the entire time you use it counts toward the two-hour limit.
Steam refund policy updated
Positive aspects of the change
This change is intended to reduce abuse of the refund policy by preventing players from extensively consuming a product and then returning it for free. Now, those who invest six, ten, or even twenty hours into a game during its early access phase, enough time to complete many games, won’t be able to get their money back so easily.
Negative Aspects of Change
However, this new policy has disadvantages, especially since many games in early access are equivalent to beta versions and may not reflect the quality of the final product. These games are often offered as a benefit to premium editions and may require significant adjustments that are only made through a patch on release day.
Additionally, technical issues such as server crashes or performance issues during Early Access, which can consume game time without providing a satisfying experience, also count toward the two-hour limit.
Conclusion
Steam’s revised policy on refunds for games in early access reflects an effort to balance consumer protection with the need to protect developers from potential abuse. However, it also imposes additional risk on consumers, who must be more certain than ever before investing in games at this preliminary stage. Steam clarifies this situation by warning buyers about the potentially unfinished nature of games in early access, suggesting that interested parties wait to see how the game evolves before making a purchase.
