Players will not be happy to hear about these changes.
Some changes were made to Steam’s refund policy. Up until today, it used to be possible to abuse the game refund system due to a loophole, which allowed you to play the purchased product before its actual release date. In practice, Steam users could purchase the upper-tier edition that, for example, granted the 3-day early access, complete the plot, and receive an automatic refund of the entire amount spent. That will no longer be possible.
Steam refund policy has changed – what’s new?
From now on, the play time accumulated during Early Access and Advance Access will count toward Steam’s refund period. In other words, if you play a game more than two hours before its actual release date, you will no longer be able to refund it automatically. It’s safe to assume that those Steam refund policy changes were introduced to the growing numbers of players abusing the system.
Those changes will be applied to pre-orders. As long as you didn’t spend over 120 minutes in game, you will still be able to return the title as per usual: within 14 days of purchase or at any time before the release day and two weeks after.
The adjusted terms and conditions will not affect those who take part in beta tests because the time spent in beta versions will not be counted towards the playtime.
What do you think of this Steam refund policy change? Have you ever heard of this loophole before? Do you “know a friend of a friend” who had abused the old terms and conditions? Share your opinion in the comment section.
