5 ms·
It's still absurd Steam has done nothing to the refund rule when games are around or under 2 hours long. There are zero consequences to "buying" games like Sup
by waboremo 3y ago
It's still absurd Steam has done nothing to the refund rule when games are around or under 2 hours long.
There are zero consequences to "buying" games like Superhot, A Short Hike, Journey, and Before Your Eyes; completing them, and refunding the game. None. They do have an abuse warning system in place, but I have never seen validation that it works for short games, just frequent refunds/odd cards used.
EA has 10 hour trials, but we haven't heard anything about how successful they are. EA likes to boast, so one can only assume it's not all that successful in getting people to actually a) stay subscribed to EA play or b) get people to buy the games. We also know generally that demos, especially for lesser known games, can negatively affect sales.
I can see publishers only supporting this for already very popular and well received games to secure every last potential sale, but everyone else has little reason to.
- frumper 3y agoAnything you want to refund after playing less than 2 hours doesn’t sound very engaging.
- falcolas 3y agoThe refunds are not due to dissatisfaction, it's because they can. The act is closer to piracy than an angry customer. Hot Take Edit: It's gamer Karens requesting the refunds. "I had information available to me that said the game time was under 2 hours but I bought it anyways and now I'm severely disappointed that the game was under 2 hours long and I deserve a refund!"
- frumper 3y agoIt's not piracy. They can't play it after they refund it and I'd call wanting to give it back because you accomplished everything you wanted in less than 2 hours a type of dissatisfaction.
- falcolas 3y agoReally? I'd call "accomplishing everything you wanted" satisfaction. Especially since the chances are nearly 100% that the time to complete was known prior to the purchase (at a minimum, the information was available). I wouldn't demand a refund for a movie, for example, if it finished in 1:59. I wouldn't demand a refund for beating my friends in a round of Top Golf in an hour. Nor would I demand a refund if I decide I'm done after spending less than 2 hours in a museum.
- frumper 3y agoDemand? Steam offers it. It’s about expectations. How many video game’s legitimately expect players to be completely done with it under 2 hours? If that is your target audience then maybe steam isn’t the best platform for you to sell on. I’ve never refunded a game before, but I also see no issues with this policy.
- waboremo 3y agoA complete story can be told in under 2 hours. Forcing developers to bloat their games for no reason other than to avoid the refund system is an absurdly idiotic suggestion.
- frumper 3y agoI didn't say they had to bloat their game. They can also choose a different method of distribution. Steam takes a one size fits all approach and an overwhelming majority of the market isn't on paid games with content that lasts under 2 hours.
- paxys 3y agoUsers who want to game the system by adding a credit card to their Steam account, purchasing the game, finishing it in <2 hours, asking for a refund and waiting to get their money back already have a much easier option – piracy. On the other hand treating your customers with respect and letting them try what they are buying ultimately increases sales and works out in everyone's benefit.
- waboremo 3y agoYou make it sound complicated, it's not. Refunds are automated, buying games is easy. Piracy still involves external tools. We're talking about people already having steam accounts, refunding games they've completed just because they can. Not those who have to specifically create a new account entirely for it.