Valve has updated its Steam refund policy to address a loophole that allowed players to accrue dozens of hours of playtime in Advanced Access games and still receive a full refund at launch. The revised policy now includes a specific section for ‘refunds on titles purchased prior to release date,’ which adds an official ‘Advanced Access’ label and applies Valve’s standard two-hour playtime limit to these titles. Advanced Access refers to games that can be played before their official launch date, typically by purchasing a special edition at an additional cost. This change has been implemented as Advanced Access games become increasingly popular, providing players with early access to highly anticipated titles. Previously, players could play Advanced Access games for extended periods or even complete them before requesting a refund from Steam, as long as they did not exceed the two-hour playtime limit after the game’s official launch. This loophole allowed players to effectively ‘rent’ games for a few days without financial commitment. Valve’s policy update aims to prevent this practice, ensuring that players have a reasonable amount of time to experience the game before making a decision on whether to keep it or request a refund.
Steam Refund Policy Update: Advanced Access Games Now Subject to Two-Hour Playtime Limit
