2 hours MAX for testing a game is too short

[BAG]

Hello,

I think 2 hours to test a game is really too short (for most of the games)

Maybe 3 or 4 hours would be more fair for buyers.

Most often, 2 hours is almost enough to learn some games.
While sometimes, 2 hours is too short to get into an interesting part of a game.
And to be more fair with game dev/editors, those who asked for a refund, would not have ability to write a review, but,...eventually
...A score of how many refunds has been asked should be displayed...
Or...
Those who asked for a refund could only select an option from a drop down list
"I did not like the game"
"Too many bugs for me"
"CPU Required not match"
"...

There should be eventually a trial commitment to define with the editors that will be applied for specific games and buyers would be advised clearly prior to purchase.

Example: for a RPG like divinity, the game editor may accept 3 or 4 hours trial period before purchase
And for some other license, like,..mmm, Examina, 2 hours should be enough.

These 2 hours really prevents me purchasing some games with average scores, and sometimes I even do not buy a game with low but positive reviews.
(Which reviews are getting poor, badly written, and sadly but trully useless (im not english native btw... In french it is really horrible how people write so bad unreadable texts)

[[wan-clan.org] Gordy Freeman]

The refund system is not for trialling games.

Sometimes in life you will spend money on something you don't like or need.

Deal with it and move on.

[マスキュリン]

The Refund Option is 'not' to test games, like a Demo, but to refund a game if it turns out to be not playable or similar reasons. You should always still inform you about a game. There is no need to change the limit, it would only result in more abuse of the whole system.

[Zefar]

Refund are for seeing if the game is as advertised, not for testing out games.

You have Gameplay videos, reviews, Youtube Reviews, Professional reviews and the forum section itself to ask questions about the game.

But it is not your Demo feature and using it this way could lead to refund feature being removed for you.

[Satoru]

Refunds are not a substitute for demos

[Vaulty]

Refund system is for games that were pucharsed wrongly or if for some unknown reason the game doens't work and you can't fix it.. for testing you have demo versions, steam reviews, youtube videos, various gaming magazines reviews etc.

PS
Some games can be completed in similiar time... It took me around 3:30-4hours to complete Portal (1) and Im not the brightest person in the world :P

[BAG]

what if there are no demos?

[HEART]

Originally posted by Twolinks:

what if there are no demos?

Doesn't matter. Refund system is not a substitute for a demo system.

[BAG]

Well, I have 144 games
And I asked maybe for 5 or 6 refund so far, and since YEARS now...so I think I am pretty fairly using this system.

But then,...steam should make mandatory the demo availability for every games, of at least a certain amount. (maybe above 15€ or so)

[HEART]

Forcing a developer to offer a demo for every game is not a good business model and will result in developers leaving to other digital platforms.

[BAG]

What I can say is that, I curretnly removed about 20 games from my wish list because they have average or limited positive score and reviews, and I dont want to waste money into them unless I am 100% sure I will like it.

But that also means that I may miss some games only because I have doubts, or have lost confidence in the game quality offered by "these times" developpers...

There are several games, for which I could not ask for a refund, and for which I only played like 3 hours or so... I cant say how many, but since mid last year I really stopped buying without trully thining twice before...

So I think, the "business model" has to be improved somehow.

[HEART]

Originally posted by Twolinks:

I really stopped buying without trully thining twice before...

This is exactly the goal of the refund system. They want to encourage consumers to do their research before buying.

Thus, in this case with you, it is a success and working as intended.

[BAG]

Originally posted by Twolinks:

But that also means that I may miss some games only because I have doubts, or have lost confidence in the game quality offered by "these times" developpers...

I dont think so.
Cause I can not test a game...I wont buy it.

When you're going to buy
-A car, you can test it before
-A TV, you can check the screen quality, sound and features at store
-An apple or orange, you can pick those you like, and in some countries; taste it
-Shoes, try them
-Clothes, wear them
-Music, hear a sample

[BAG]

...And in the past, there wasnt any single game coming out without a DEMO version. (except the crap games)

[Start_Running]

Originally posted by Twolinks:

What I can say is that, I curretnly removed about 20 games from my wish list because they have average or limited positive score and reviews, and I dont want to waste money into them unless I am 100% sure I will like it.

So you're letting other people pick your games essentially. And you don't see the short coming in that?

But that also means that I may miss some games only because I have doubts, or have lost confidence in the game quality offered by "these times" developpers...

How do you 'miss' a game? seriously. It's not like the brick and mortar days where you were sunk if the stores ran out of stock and never bothered to order new stock. I'm discovering games that were released 20 years ago and having fun. You can't miss a game if you're honestly searching for something to enjoy and not just trawling for whatever's popular or hyped.

This is also where friends come in. See a bunch of your friends buying a certain game. Might be worth your time to check a few lets plays.

There are several games, for which I could not ask for a refund, and for which I only played like 3 hours or so... I cant say how many, but since mid last year I really stopped buying without trully thining twice before...

That's...that's actually how you're soupposed to shop. It iunvariably means you'll buy less than an impulse buyer but you will have a higher rate of satisfaction. with your purchases.

So I think, the "business model" has to be improved somehow.

Business model is working fine. Refunds are for those cases where the game cannot run and special exceptions are made if there are common game breaking bugs. Common meaning they can be replicated easily on the test systems. Other than that, its not about seeing if you'll like the game before you buy it. Because no amount of time will be enough. You're claiming that the time period doesn't even get you through the tutuorial stages.. well guess what. If they made it longer , people would complain that the time only allowed them to play half the game and they don't know if the game gets better or worse in the second half.

The line has to be drawn somewhere. You have ample resources to learn about the game. You can take as much time as you need to learn about a game. So learn about the game and take the time to understand what it is you like in games.

[BAG]

Yes, I was and always check reviews etc... but yet sometimes a game, even with all the positive reviews and videos, may not be what you expected. Altought you was thinking you could love it.

When its a game of 10 or so, its not a big deal, but with game above that price, it becomes a problem.

I understand your answers and point of view. And I have to admit that you are right. But yet, I think there should be something done to allow to test some games of a certain amount.

That being said: here is an idea of a new "business model":
This would apply to games of:
-Providing enough game time
-Above maybe 4.99€ (or to be defined)

A fraction of the game price would be cut and priced as demo-fee, providing X game time to the buyer.

Example A:
Game price is 50€ / and supposedly provided 40 hours game time
10% (5€) of this price is charged to buyer to "TEST" the game for about 2 hours.
This fee is not refundable

If tester like it, he can
a. buy the game for the remaining 45€
b. pay another 2.5€ for 1 additional hour abd then buy it for 42.5€ or stop playing and not get refunded
c. eventualy pay an addional fee of 2.5€ untill he buy the game or stop spending money to test it more..., or if editor allow this feature.

Example B:
Game price 50€
Pay 10€ to play it for X hours defined by game developper
Then pay the remaining or stop playing and dont waste more money.
10€ not refundable

Effect:
No more refunds on steam side, less work
(except for technical issues refunds etc...)
More money for steam and developpers
Less people angry because they paid full price a game they finally dislike.
Return of compulsive purchase in a fair manner for both sides

...well, may work or not... But I would really use this feature to test and/or buy games.