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Steam Rules Must Change, Developer Says, After Players Praise Bitesize Game But Are Allowed to Refund It Anyway
IGN • • technology
Key Points:
- Zoroarts, developer of the indie game Paddle Paddle Paddle, has criticized Steam's refund policy for allowing players to get full refunds even after completing and praising the game.
- Steam's policy permits refunds within 14 days of purchase if the game has been played less than two hours, which Zoroarts argues unfairly penalizes shorter games that can be finished quickly.
- Despite the game receiving mostly positive reviews and being priced at $3, it has a 21% refund rate, amounting to over 55,000 refunds, according to the developer.
- Some community members suggest better labeling of short games to set player expectations, an idea supported by Zoroarts to reduce refund requests based on game length.
- Valve's terms mention refund abuse could lead to suspension of refund privileges, but enforcement of this policy remains unclear.
