Valve expands refund policy on Steam for pre-released games

The Valve has announced a significant update to its refund policy on Steam. Now, players will be able to request refunds for games released before the official release date, as long as they meet the two-hour user evaluation period.

Previously, early access titles were exempt from this restriction, which could lead to system abuse. With this change, Valve aims to ensure a fairer policy, allowing players enough time to try out games before making a purchase decision.

Refund requests on Steam offer unparalleled flexibility in digital purchases. Whether it's not meeting the minimum system requirements, accidental purchase, or simply not liking the game after trying it out, users can request refunds for any valid reason.

When requesting a refund within the specified period, players may receive a full refund to the Steam Wallet or the original payment method. This extended policy also applies to DLCs, in-game items, Steam Wallet contents, renewable subscriptions, and Steam hardware.

Although the refund system is designed to eliminate risks in purchases, Valve warns against abusing the system. The company reserves the right to suspend refunds for users engaged in abusive practices. However, requesting a refund for a product shortly before a promotion and then buying it again at a discount is not considered abuse, as highlighted by Valve.