Half Finished Games

[Warr]

I'm getting a bit peeved of with dev's half finishing games and not doing any updates, i think people that have bought and still have the game that's not completed should get a full refund, its even worse when dev's don't say anything and just vanish.

[Thermal Lance]

If it's about Early Access. You have a big fat warning before buying. Yes I do mean the blue box.

[Supafly]

Buy complete games and you wouldn't have an issue. YOU are the problem

[Nx Machina]

Are you referring to Early Access? If the answer is yes it does not get any CLEARER than:

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

"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".

Now in order to get an Early Access game it requires 7 steps:

1) Went to the store page.

2) Added the game to your cart.

3) Viewed your cart.

4) Continued to payment.

5) Entered the security code if you are using a card.

6) Ticked the Steam Subscriber Agreement box (includes the refund policy).

7) Clicked confirm.

All those 7 steps are voluntary not mandatory.


So the question remains is waiting a problem?

[Had Matter]

Why do you buy half finished games and complain afterwards? Is the seller obliged to finish it? It's either a broken contract or buyers remorse. Both are your problems to solve.

[Warr]

Nothing like paying full price for a “work in progress” that stays in progress forever.

[Warr]

A lack of regulation around early access releases has allowed some developers to leave games incomplete without consequence.

[Nx Machina]

Originally posted by Warr:

Nothing like paying full price for a “work in progress” that stays in progress forever.

Which is a decision you make, no one else.

[Had Matter]

Originally posted by Warr:

Nothing like paying full price for a “work in progress” that stays in progress forever.

Then don't. Welcome to the Valve business school.

[Nx Machina]

Originally posted by Warr:

A lack of regulation around early access releases has allowed some developers to leave games incomplete without consequence.

Not reading the blue disclaimer is a personal problem.

it does not get any CLEARER than:

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

"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".

Is waiting a problem?

[Warr]

Originally posted by Nx Machina:

Originally posted by Warr:

A lack of regulation around early access releases has allowed some developers to leave games incomplete without consequence.

Not reading the blue disclaimer is a personal problem.

it does not get any CLEARER than:

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

"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".

Is waiting a problem?

Ah yes, the magical blue disclaimer—Steam's ultimate "get out of responsibility free" card.

Sure, it technically says the game might never be finished. But come on, that doesn’t mean devs get to take the money, ghost the community, and call it a day. “Wait and see” doesn’t mean “watch us disappear.”

If slapping a warning on something made it all okay, we could solve everything that way:
“Warning: This bridge may collapse. Cross at your own risk.”
Cool, totally fine, right?

At the end of the day, disclaimers don’t excuse broken trust or shady development practices.

[eram]

sometimes you do have to slap a warning on something and let the consumer decide

[Crazy Tiger]

If you want a finished game, buy it when it's finished. People are responsible for their own purchasing decisions.

[Warr]

Originally posted by Crazy Tiger:

If you want a finished game, buy it when it's finished. People are responsible for their own purchasing decisions.

Wow, groundbreaking advice: “If you want a finished game, wait until it’s finished.” Never would’ve thought of that! 😄

The issue isn't that people don’t understand how early access works—it’s that the system encourages devs to release half-baked projects, collect money, and sometimes never deliver. Blaming the buyer for expecting progress after paying isn’t exactly the win you think it is.

Imagine ordering food at a restaurant, getting half a raw chicken, and being told, “Well, you should’ve waited until the chef felt like cooking.”

People are fine with supporting devs. They’re not fine with being strung along or ghosted.

[eram]

Originally posted by Warr:

Originally posted by Crazy Tiger:

If you want a finished game, buy it when it's finished. People are responsible for their own purchasing decisions.

Wow, groundbreaking advice: “If you want a finished game, wait until it’s finished.” Never would’ve thought of that! 😄

The issue isn't that people don’t understand how early access works—it’s that the system encourages devs to release half-baked projects, collect money, and sometimes never deliver. Blaming the buyer for expecting progress after paying isn’t exactly the win you think it is.

Imagine ordering food at a restaurant, getting half a raw chicken, and being told, “Well, you should’ve waited until the chef felt like cooking.”

People are fine with supporting devs. They’re not fine with being strung along or ghosted.

imagine buying cigarettes

[Nx Machina]

Originally posted by Warr:

Ah yes, the magical blue disclaimer—Steam's ultimate "get out of responsibility free" card.

Sure, it technically says the game might never be finished. But come on, that doesn’t mean devs get to take the money, ghost the community, and call it a day. “Wait and see” doesn’t mean “watch us disappear.”

If slapping a warning on something made it all okay, we could solve everything that way:
“Warning: This bridge may collapse. Cross at your own risk.”
Cool, totally fine, right?

At the end of the day, disclaimers don’t excuse broken trust or shady development practices.

And you not reading it does not alter that it clearly states what you are getting.

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

"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".

Obviously you disregarded it, could not wait and did the 7 steps, all voluntary actions.

1) Went to the store page.

2) Added the game to your cart.

3) Viewed your cart.

4) Continued to payment.

5) Entered the security code if you are using a card.

6) Ticked the Steam Subscriber Agreement box (includes the refund policy).

7) Clicked confirm.

You got the product you paid for. A game that my never complete but of course you voluntarily spending your money is always someone else's problem and personal responsibility takes a backseat.