Usually, refunding a pre-order game on Steam was a matter of calling up Valve support, now, you can refund pre-orders with a simple click of a button. Steam users on the Steam forums discussed the new feature which Valve didn’t formally announce. Cancelling a pre-order sends the cash straight back to your Steam Wallet. It should be noted that you were always able to get refunds for pre-orders, this just automates the process and potentially frees up Valve support for more pressing issues.
This is a step in the right direction for digital distribution as a whole. They do not offer a refund on everything however; you still need to contact Valve to get anything like that. In the case of giant flops like Ashes Cricket 2013 on Steam, Valve is usually ready to play ball and refund customers. Perhaps it is time for Valve to take it one step further and allow refunds for all content after 3 or 4 hours depending on game length, similar to a try before you buy. It’s never been a huge issue for me, as I’m usually pretty sure about what I’m buying before I buy it. But it’s good to know that I and others can change our minds and not have it be a huge deal. Bravo Steam, you continue to be an excellent service.
Last Updated: January 27, 2014
SheHulkNigri
January 27, 2014 at 08:13
Whatever happened to the humble demo of a game? I remember days when the release of a Demo was as big news as the release of the game proper was…
Captain GUZ
January 27, 2014 at 08:22
Used to get PC format and NAG mags just for the demo disks, ahh those were the days
Hammersteyn
January 27, 2014 at 08:27
It’s called beta now as in, People BETAr test these game properly.
Gustav Willem Diedericks
January 27, 2014 at 08:34
haha! So true…so sad 🙁
Matthew Holliday
January 27, 2014 at 09:29
They also make you pay for beta’s now.
or beg, borrow or steal beta keys from your friends or random “share this photo and get a free X beta key”
Rainman
January 27, 2014 at 09:34
Last game I can think of that brought out a demo was XCOM, anybody else can think of a game more recent?
SlasherZA
January 27, 2014 at 10:59
You still get the demoes – I have played a couple the last while when uncertain about a game.
Unfortunately it is the odd game that has a demo these days, rather than the other way around. However, on Origin you can buy, try (demo) and request a full refund if game isn’t for you… Instant timed full game demo 🙂
Starcraft 2 even has a demo ‘starter edition’, that, minus campaigned and ranked matches is as good as the entire game – good for playing with friends for free.
Many companies also release tech demo’s before hand, showing the engine. Next Car Game as example.
Admiral Chief in Vegas
January 27, 2014 at 08:56
Good guy Steam
Uberutang
January 27, 2014 at 09:27
Good Guy Gabe 😛
El Capitan del Blade
January 27, 2014 at 14:32
This should be the header image for every positive Steam-related article: http://static1.fjcdn.com/comments/4308828+_0ec5d3834fb2a8754bcd271f1b807e77.jpg