Total Biscuit collects feedback from developers on Steam Refunds (video).
Total Biscuit collects feedback from developers on Steam Refunds (video).
Hello, I noticed Total Biscuit's channel today featured a discussion about Steam Refunds and the debate around the two indie developers involved. He contacted roughly 50 developers to gather their views on the new policy. Most of them align with his perspective. The video runs about 30 minutes and covers the key points well, though it doesn't include every single comment. In short, most developers support the refund policy, though opinions are mixed on whether it’s beneficial overall. They’re hopeful Valve will manage any problematic users. What are your thoughts after watching?
You're limited to one hour only if you want a refund, making it more of a trial version. Demos are rare these days, so it's important to extend the time or provide a clear warning such as "If you don't enjoy this game, you can get a refund now."
Sure, I understand. Even a short refund would help. If I could get a refund for the older games that don’t run on my PC.
It's actually two hours, unless they adjusted it within a day or so. I appreciate the system, and time will clarify. For indie creators whose games are under two hours but still face complaints... 1. I'd suggest building complete games that require more than a couple of hours. 2. Steam might accept "it's two hours OR you share a playable demo."
Refunds shouldn't exist, but implement a one-hour testing period so users can verify performance on their devices, followed by a paywall afterward.
It's clear from what I've noticed that many seem to support refunds despite skepticism about the process. The system might need adjustments, but with all the misleading ads and confusing trailers, this issue should have been addressed long ago. Now that people are more aware, they're even more frustrated by preordering practices, especially when returns aren't handled properly.
I viewed a short segment (about ten minutes) of it, just like I do with Total Biscuit, and I found myself in agreement with most of the ideas presented.
I believe two hours offers a reasonable time frame. Some suggest games should have defined lengths so Valve can manage the schedule better. But that doesn’t quite fit sandbox or multiplayer experiences, and it raises questions about who decides the duration. I doubt developers are equipped to handle this responsibility, and setting fixed times could be unrealistic for Valve. Two hours won’t satisfy everyone, but it reflects a balance between fairness for players and practicality for the team.