How Steam can save money and have happy customers

[Solarstrike]

Make it a requirement that developers and publishers provide demo's of their games. This would cut back of the amount of refunds requested. For example, i bought a game using my Steam Wallet funds, played the game for 11 minutes and did not like it. I requested a refund which according to Steam, will be refunded in 7 days. If i had the demo of the game, Steam wouldn't have to send me my money back.

Instead of punishing people by making them wait for a refund, a demo should consist of:

-at least 15-30 minute demo game time which shows the core elements of the software

-detailed and specific information as to how the software works; through visual, auditory, braile (3D printers can print braile) , or anything in between in order to provide an accurate representation for the customer(s)

-implement an achievement system, cards, background art, etc. for the amount of demo's played in relation to the game's they purchased by playing the demo. This would give incentive, customer satisfaction, and enhance Steam's overall quality

[Sovietball]

Developers lost when adding demos. It's their responsibility/ decision to add it. I'm not going to comment on how stupid everything else is

[cinedine]

Providing a demo diminishes the sales of the actual game. It also means more people would download demos to play for free. Something Valve can hardly monetize yet has to provide - and pay - the bandwidth for.

So actually, the idea would lose the developers and Valve sales and money.

[Solarstrike]

Publicado originalmente por Commissar Quacklordington:

Developers lost when adding demos. It's their responsibility/ decision to add it

No they don't ever loose. Steam is the one who looses when people ask for a refund.

[Solarstrike]

Publicado originalmente por cinedine:

Providing a demo diminishes the sales of the actual game. It also means more people would download demos to play for free. Something Valve can hardly monetize yet has to provide - and pay - the bandwidth for.

So actually, the idea would lose the developers and Valve sales and money.

By not providing a demo, it allows developers to ship poor quality software.

[𝔗 𝔬 𝔟 𝔦 𝔞 𝔰]

some games can be played as demo like dishonored 2. you can get refunds after 1-2 hours of gameplay on the purchased game. steam does get a crap ton of money ... i mean look at this platform we stand on... it's the million dollar idea hell billion!.

i am a happy customer and i think allot of other people are too... sure some may not be but that is because they are eigther too butthurt or something... there can be many reasons.

you get what you want and you can refund it... there isn't more that needs to be fixed and Valve can't actually put a demo on each game because it's not originaly their game... it's just their platform and not only that but they help advertising games like dishonored 2 and fallout 4.


Valves platform actually is the 1 reason to why Gamestop stores exists less... due to the virtual games you can get on a platform simply on a account youve made and connected you're bank info whit (which is kinda scary)

[Solarstrike]

Publicado originalmente por Hades:

some games can be played as demo like dishonored 2. you can get refunds after 1-2 hours of gameplay on the purchased game. steam does get a crap ton of money ... i mean look at this platform we stand on... it's the million dollar idea hell billion!.

i am a happy customer and i think allot of other people are too... sure some may not be but that is because they are eigther too butthurt or something... there can be many reasons.

you get what you want and you can refund it... there isn't more that needs to be fixed and Valve can't actually put a demo on each game because it's not originaly their game... it's just their platform and not only that but they help advertising games like dishonored 2 and fallout 4.

No matter how much a business makes in terms of profit, saving money through efficiency allows more focus towards the user end. This includes customer satisfaction, sustainability, overall customer attitude, organized and efficient product in which to sell. In other words, weeding out the bad quality.

No one's money should be held from them if they are not happy with a purchase.

[Sovietball]

Publicado originalmente por Solarstrike:

Publicado originalmente por Commissar Quacklordington:

Developers lost when adding demos. It's their responsibility/ decision to add it

No they don't ever loose. Steam is the one who looses when people ask for a refund.

Yes they do. They get 60% or something. People can be driven away by a bad made demo.

[Sovietball]

Publicado originalmente por Solarstrike:

Publicado originalmente por Hades:

some games can be played as demo like dishonored 2. you can get refunds after 1-2 hours of gameplay on the purchased game. steam does get a crap ton of money ... i mean look at this platform we stand on... it's the million dollar idea hell billion!.

i am a happy customer and i think allot of other people are too... sure some may not be but that is because they are eigther too butthurt or something... there can be many reasons.

you get what you want and you can refund it... there isn't more that needs to be fixed and Valve can't actually put a demo on each game because it's not originaly their game... it's just their platform and not only that but they help advertising games like dishonored 2 and fallout 4.

No matter how much a business makes in terms of profit, saving money through efficiency allows more focus towards the user end. This includes customer satisfaction, sustainability, overall customer attitude, organized and efficient product in which to sell. In other words, weeding out the bad quality.

No one's money should be held from them if they are not happy with a purchase.

Money should be with held if the purchase is not valid for refund

[cinedine]

Publicado originalmente por Solarstrike:

Publicado originalmente por cinedine:

Providing a demo diminishes the sales of the actual game. It also means more people would download demos to play for free. Something Valve can hardly monetize yet has to provide - and pay - the bandwidth for.

So actually, the idea would lose the developers and Valve sales and money.

By not providing a demo, it allows developers to ship poor quality software.

No, refunds and research are.
You can make an incredible demo and a great first two hour of gameplay. And then deliver half-assed, buggy content all the way to the grindy 100 hour end no one will ever see ... and know it's missing.

Demos cost time and money to provide. And it does not translate into more sales. Quite the opposite. It will destroy hype and make peopel second guess if the game is worth it full price. Or even deter them completely.
That has been proven fact in the industry.

[Gwarsbane]

This has all been covered before and its not going to happen. Valve will not force companies to make demos. Why? Because demos are expensive to make and bring in zero return.

Look at game videos on youtube, and other places, look at reviews on steam and other places, ask questions on the discussion areas and stuff like that.

You say it will save Valve money, when in fact it will not. It costs Valve virtually nothing for people to refund a game within the time period set already. And will keep some games off steam, so cost them money, because the game makers are unwilling/unable to made a demo due to costs.

[Solarstrike]

Valve employees confirmed lmao. Quality control would be too much work, huh? Seriously, does anyone not see the positive of the topic? The negativity in the business world is so dark, it's like cancer.

[Gwarsbane]

Because the OP seems to think the opposite....

http://kotaku.com/demos-are-great-for-gamers-not-so-great-for-game-sales-608603895

[Solarstrike]

Publicado originalmente por Gwarsbane:

Because the OP seems to think the opposite....

http://kotaku.com/demos-are-great-for-gamers-not-so-great-for-game-sales-608603895

"Kotaku" is no source of business information. I understand your point though.

[Gwarsbane]

Publicado originalmente por Solarstrike:

Valve employees confirmed lmao. Quality control would be too much work, huh?

This is the same claim people who are wrong who don't want to admit they are wrong, seem to like to make around here. None of us work for Valve.

[Solarstrike]

Quality Games 101:

Publisher: Has a really bad game but is promoted and advertised as good quality. Pictures, video(s), etc. Publisher knows the game is of bad quality. Game costs $29.99. No demo available.

Customers buy the game and dislike it. An influx of refund(s) arrive.

Synopsis:

If there was a demo available, poor quality would rid itself and not supported by the customer. A clean and quality filled gaming environment arises.