STEAM AND ABANDONED GAMES

[RAVENROOK]

I feel that this is a major issue. Anyone else agree that Steam should demand developers to issue a definite time limit as to when games are published before they enter early access? Secondly, does anyone else think that those who have purchased games in the belief that the games will be updated to a certain standard should be compensated for promises broken by developers?

Thirdly should not Steam punish certain developers by banning them from publishing on the site anymore. Especially those game developers who have form in abandoning games they have made money from - before starting another game?

[EmilyHunter]

I'm not sure which laws apply for these developers, and who they have to answer to, if anyone.

Therefore I assume it might be hard for Steam to establish strict rules.

But I agree that there should be rules or limitations.

Like, if a game doesn't receive updates (and shows it's still being worked on) on a pre-defined regular basis (devs could maybe choose an "update plan"), it will be marked "abandoned".

EA games can only cost, for example, 10€ max. I can even imagine having to pay a small additional sum once the game is finished (I bought The Planet Crafter when it was still in Early EA and paid a price that was a steal compared to today and what became of the game) and released.

In any case should devs be forced to admit that they've abandoned a game (and mark it accordingly), maybe even have to pay back a partial sum of the original price should people chose to want that.

I assume though that all these things are hard to realize and, even more so, to control.

(That being said, I had loads of fun with Hotel Renovator, so I got my money's worth, even if the game is not quite done, so I wouldn't demand back any money if I could).

[RAVENROOK]

Originally posted by EmilyHunter:

I'm not sure which laws apply for these developers, and who they have to answer to, if anyone.

Therefore I assume it might be hard for Steam to establish strict rules.

But I agree that there should be rules or limitations.

Like, if a game doesn't receive updates (and shows it's still being worked on) on a pre-defined regular basis (devs could maybe choose an "update plan"), it will be marked "abandoned".

EA games can only cost, for example, 10€ max. I can even imagine having to pay a small additional sum once the game is finished (I bought The Planet Crafter when it was still in Early EA and paid a price that was a steal compared to today and what became of the game) and released.

In any case should devs be forced to admit that they've abandoned a game (and mark it accordingly), maybe even have to pay back a partial sum of the original price should people chose to want that.

I assume though that all these things are hard to realize and, even more so, to control.

(That being said, I had loads of fun with Hotel Renovator, so I got my money's worth, even if the game is not quite done, so I wouldn't demand back any money if I could).

There are so many bugs in Hotel Renovator that is seriously spoiled my time playing it. I had to give up on it, eventually.

I still feel that compensation should be paid to gamers who have purchased games expecting them to be updated regularly, only to find that they are not. It seems that we gamer are the ones who are left out of pocket.

There may be people like yourself who still enjoy playing certain games like Hotel Renovator, even though the game clearly has been abandoned. But many of us do not, and I feel it is we who are continually losing out. Guarantees should be demanded by Steam from developers, in reference to this.