Refund Policy for Early Access Games

[judcohan]

I purchased a game (Songs of Conquest) in EA about a year ago in order to support the developer. I did not play it until the official 1.0 release, which was on May 20, 2024. I'm having serious problems with the game, so I tried to get a refund. I was told that I can't get one since more than 14 days have past. However, my reading of the Steam refund policy is that games purchased during EA can be refunded within 14 days of the official release date, regardless of the purchase date (assuming that play time is under 2 hours.)

Is my understanding of the policy incorrect? Thanks.

[cSg|mc-Hotsauce]

Originally posted by judcohan:

Refund Policy for Early Access Games

I purchased a game (Songs of Conquest) in EA about a year ago in order to support the developer. I did not play it until the official 1.0 release, which was on May 20, 2024. I'm having serious problems with the game, so I tried to get a refund. I was told that I can't get one since more than 14 days have past. However, my reading of the Steam refund policy is that games purchased during EA can be refunded within 14 days of the official release date, regardless of the purchase date (assuming that play time is under 2 hours.)

Is my understanding of the policy incorrect? Thanks.

REFUNDS ON TITLES PURCHASED PRIOR TO RELEASE DATE

When you purchase a title on Steam prior to the release date, the two-hour playtime limit for refunds will apply (except for beta testing), but the 14-day period for refunds will not start until the release date. For example, if you purchase a game that is in Early Access or Advanced Access, any playtime will count against the two-hour refund limit.

https://store.steampowered.com/steam_refunds/

[potato]

you're confusing early access with advanced access

[judcohan]

Originally posted by potato:

you're confusing early access with advanced access

It looks like the policy is the same for both.

[Aya]

Originally posted by Every Early Access game ever:

Note: This Early Access game is not complete and may or may not change further. If you are not excited to play this game in its current state, then you should wait to see if the game progresses further in development. Learn More

With that said, there WILL be games on Steam with painfully glacial development times, so if a game is something you know you will enjoy despite this, the best course of action would be to treat early access like a finished product with major content updates being free DLC.

[Aluvard]

Originally posted by judcohan:

Originally posted by potato:

you're confusing early access with advanced access

It looks like the policy is the same for both.

Nope. Problem is that some companies calls their advanced access to pre-ordered game as an "early access". Below you've link to Steam Early Acccess refund policy:
https://help.steampowered.com/faqs/view/6554-ED29-FBDB-1612

Date when game enters "Steam Early Access" counts as a release.

[judcohan]

Hmmm. Ok, well at least I understand now. I think I missed this part in the policy:

"If you pre-purchase a title which is not playable prior to the release date..."

EA games are playable, so the 14 day window starts immediately.

[Rabblevox]

Early access is always a risk. (and, I'd add, a risk without much payoff except bragging rights)

Unfortunately, you lost. Steam's refund policies are consistent for all games, early access or not. No more than 14 days, no more than 2 hours playtime, and you get a refund. Otherwise, nuh-uh, nothin' comin'.

I will join you in crying in my beer, I've gotten burned on early access titles as well.

[judcohan]

It's not as if $20 is going to make a noticeable difference in my life. I'm just glad that I understand the policy now - I'll only be using EA for developers whose work I already know and like.

[Lithurge]

Originally posted by Aluvard:

Originally posted by judcohan:

It looks like the policy is the same for both.

Nope. Problem is that some companies calls their advanced access to pre-ordered game as an "early access". Below you've link to Steam Early Acccess refund policy:
https://help.steampowered.com/faqs/view/6554-ED29-FBDB-1612

Date when game enters "Steam Early Access" counts as a release.

No the refund policy specifically refers to both Early Access and Advanced Access as being eligible under prior to release with the 2 hour playtime counting from the time of EA or AA.

The only difference between the two is that an EA title ends up with two release dates, one when it enters early access and when it leaves. Advanced Access titles only have the one.

But if the intention is to use the early access release date and not the final release date then the wording of the refund policy is incorrect.

REFUNDS ON TITLES PURCHASED PRIOR TO RELEASE DATE
When you purchase a title on Steam prior to the release date, the two-hour playtime limit for refunds will apply (except for beta testing), but the 14-day period for refunds will not start until the release date. For example, if you purchase a game that is in Early Access or Advanced Access, any playtime will count against the two-hour refund limit

OP raise a manual ticket (select I have a question about this game and not the refund option) and refer to the refund policy in your explanation as to why you would like a refund.

[Aluvard]

Originally posted by Lithurge:

-snip-

Your quote specifiy that:

the 14-day period for refunds will not start until the release date

You literally quoted why Steam Early Access won't count toward pre-order policy (within 2 hours).
Early Access game is playable and has a release date. It simply isn't version 1.0 but it doesn't get same guarantees and policy as pre-order early access.

Also OP quoted important part of policy:

Originally posted by judcohan:

Hmmm. Ok, well at least I understand now. I think I missed this part in the policy:

"If you pre-purchase a title which is not playable prior to the release date..."

EA games are playable, so the 14 day window starts immediately.

[TentacleMayor]

Tip, if you want to try a game in EA and it's on GOG, get it there; they have no-questions-asked refunds within 30 days for games in EA. Still, expecting a refund a year after purchase is too much.

[HikariLight]

Early Access games are incomplete, but are considered released, so the 14 days starts right away.
Advanced Access (sometimes referred to as early access) allows you to play the game a bit before the official release date, the 14 days will not start until the official release date.