Steam’s refund policy is under fire from indie developer Mateo Covic, who claims it’s a breeze for players to game the system. Covic, the creator of Paddle Paddle Paddle, is frustrated after processing a whopping 55,000 refunds, despite the game receiving 90% positive reviews on Steam.
Covic argues that the current policy, which allows refunds within two weeks if playtime is under two hours, is too easy to exploit. He planned the game to be around four hours long, but faster players or speedrunners can zip through it in less time, making them eligible for refunds. This has left Covic questioning how many refunds were genuine versus those abusing the system. This issue ties into broader gaming industry challenges, like those faced by Bethesda due to layoffs, which impact game development and sustainability.
While Covic emphasizes he’s not against refunds, he wishes the system better distinguished between legitimate grievances and casual abuse. This issue is reminiscent of debates around digital game sales and the pressures developers face, much like the shift towards digital-only futures in gaming. For now, players and developers alike will be watching to see if Steam makes any changes to address these concerns.
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