Regarding abandoned Early Access games on steam..

[Kevin the Inkling]

There needs to be some policy regarding what happens when the devs of an Early Access game abandons the project.

There's no safe guards against the practice of taking the money and running. Not only do the devs do it but the follow up will also without any kind of push back by Steam get another Early access submission.

Maybe Valve allows full refunds on Abandoned Early Access games that do this it'd stop happening. Like I'm sorry this is not acceptable and the problem has persisted way too long.

[Boblin the Goblin]

Does everyone ignore that big blue box on the store page that explains what early access means?

It's a risk. It always has been. It has never been sold as a guarantee.

It even literally says it may not change further;

Originally posted by Steam:

Early Access Game

Get instant access and start playing; get involved with this game as it develops.
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

[Brian9824]

Originally posted by Kevin the Inkling:

There needs to be some policy regarding what happens when the devs of an Early Access game abandons the project.

There's no safe guards against the practice of taking the money and running. Not only do the devs do it but the follow up will also without any kind of push back by Steam get another Early access submission.

Maybe Valve allows full refunds on Abandoned Early Access games that do this it'd stop happening. Like I'm sorry this is not acceptable and the problem has persisted way too long.

There already is a policy and a safeguard. You get the game you paid for at the time and any updates that occured between when you bought it and when the game was abandoned. Hence why your repeatedly told your buying the game in its present state and if your concerned about it not finishing to not buy it.

I'd suggest you go into your settings and turn off your ability to see EA titles to avoid future issues on your part.

[Aachen]

Originally posted by Kevin the Inkling:

.... Maybe Valve allows full refunds on Abandoned Early Access games that do this it'd stop happening. Like I'm sorry this is not acceptable and the problem has persisted way too long.

Are you willing to give back all your income?

The safeguard is the disclaimer — Early Access probably isn’t for you. Stick with stuff long out of development.

The problem you offer isn’t even restricted to EA in the first place, and that larger pool doesn’t even have a warning label!

[Wolf Knight]

Originally posted by Kevin the Inkling:

There needs to be some policy regarding what happens when the devs of an Early Access game abandons the project.

There's no safe guards against the practice of taking the money and running. Not only do the devs do it but the follow up will also without any kind of push back by Steam get another Early access submission.

Maybe Valve allows full refunds on Abandoned Early Access games that do this it'd stop happening. Like I'm sorry this is not acceptable and the problem has persisted way too long.

how do you determine a game is abandoned? all a developer needs to do is say "games done" and its out of EA. doesnt matter if it is 100% complete to you, all that matters is it is 100% complete to that games developer. all games stop being worked on at some point.

you do know that at some point, steam has to send the money to the game developer for all the games that sold during a period? Steam doesnt keep the money till release, it sends the money to the appropriate party on a regular basis. so any refund after that is 100% coming out of steams pocket, doesnt sound like a way to discourage a game developer from doing a cut and run.

[MoonC A T]

Originally posted by Kevin the Inkling:

There's no safe guards against the practice of taking the money and running.

Sure there is. Don't buy them...wait.

[fluxtorrent]

There is a policy. It's to warn users BEFORE they purchase. Everything after that is on you.

[Crazy Tiger]

I've always said the issue isn't with the Early Access program, but with the people buying the games and their inability to manage their expectations. If you buy an Early Access game and expect a guaranteed finished game, you're making the mistake of mismanaging your expectations.

Only buy Early Access games if you can accept that development stops the very next day. That is a very possible outcome and it's communicated beforehand through the blue box on the store page. If you cannot accept that outcome, don't buy the Early Access game. Also, don't buy it based on promises, but on actual content in the game at that time. Wishlist it and wait until it reaches the point where you'll be happy with it.

You buy an unfinished product, you aren't guaranteed a finished one.

[MoonC A T]

Originally posted by Crazy Tiger:

I've always said the issue isn't with the Early Access program, but with the people buying the games and their inability to manage their expectations. If you buy an Early Access game and expect a guaranteed finished game, you're making the mistake of mismanaging your expectations.

Only buy Early Access games if you can accept that development stops the very next day. That is a very possible outcome and it's communicated beforehand through the blue box on the store page. If you cannot accept that outcome, don't buy the Early Access game. Also, don't buy it based on promises, but on actual content in the game at that time. Wishlist it and wait until it reaches the point where you'll be happy with it.

You buy an unfinished product, you aren't guaranteed a finished one.

Best answer here.

@OP I see several Early Access games on your wishlist. I suggest you learn from your experience and wait until they are out of EA. I'm assuming that's what you are doing but just to be sure.

[Tito Shivan]

Originally posted by Kevin the Inkling:

There needs to be some policy regarding what happens when the devs of an Early Access game abandons the project.

The same that happens when a dev stops updating a normal game. The game remains in its actual state.

[Vince ✟]

It is up to the consumer to do their due diligence when buying a product, especially if it is in a state such as early access. Yes, EA is ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ and we all know it. Thats why you can't complain about it and need to do your own thinking before buying.

[xAlphaStarOmegax]

Valve won't change their stance because of money; as long as they're making a profit from early access games, they don't care if we get the shaft. The only thing we can do to protect ourselves is to simply stop buying early access games; maybe then these developers will stop pumping out unfinished games. 

[Boblin the Goblin]

Originally posted by Noirat:

It is up to the consumer to do their due diligence when buying a product, especially if it is in a state such as early access. Yes, EA is ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ and we all know it. Thats why you can't complain about it and need to do your own thinking before buying.

I mean, there are great games that are as polished and successful as they are because of EA.

Deep Rock, Baulder's Gate 3, and Dead Cells to name a few.

[Aachen]

Originally posted by xAlphaStarOmegax:

Valve won't change their stance because of money; as long as they're making a profit from early access games, they don't care if we get the shaft. The only thing we can do to protect ourselves is to simply stop buying early access games; maybe then these developers will stop pumping out unfinished games.

Which shaft have you been getting?

[Brian9824]

Originally posted by xAlphaStarOmegax:

Valve won't change their stance because of money; as long as they're making a profit from early access games, they don't care if we get the shaft. The only thing we can do to protect ourselves is to simply stop buying early access games; maybe then these developers will stop pumping out unfinished games.

Its always a risk, and one of the reasons EA games are usually cheaper in EA. I'd never pay full price for a EA game, but i've gotten a few and saved over 50% on the retail price, and got to provide feedback and be part of the development.

Just have to actually understand what you are buying.

[Brian9824]

Originally posted by SlowMango:

Originally posted by Noirat:

It is up to the consumer to do their due diligence when buying a product, especially if it is in a state such as early access. Yes, EA is ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ and we all know it. Thats why you can't complain about it and need to do your own thinking before buying.

I mean, there are great games that are as polished and successful as they are because of EA.

Deep Rock, Baulder's Gate 3, and Dead Cells to name a few.

I still refuse to pay full price for an EA Baldurs Gate 3, dead cells is great and no regrets buying that one. Same with 7 days to die.