Steam has just changed its refund policy for early access games. Now, these are also subject to the 2 hour play limit to be eligible for a refund.
Like thousands of players, you may have rushed to the early access of Hades 2 or No Rest for the Wicked. You may even have already spent many hours there, thinking you could get a refund from Steam if necessary. In fact, it is entirely possible to get a refund for a game on Steam, provided you check a few boxes: you must have purchased the title less than 14 days ago and played it for less than two hours.
However, until now there was a gray area regarding early access games. Since the implementation of its refund policy, Steam counts hours of play only after the official release of the latter, i.e. with version 1.0. In other words, it is entirely possible to play hundreds of hours of a game in early access, then get it refunded upon release – provided you have played it less than two hours from that date.
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Steam tightens the screws on its reimbursement conditions
But that time is now over. In a recent update to its refund policy, Steam closes the gap by announcing that the two hours of play will be counted even if the title is still in early access.
“When you purchase a title on Steam before the release date, the two-hour gameplay limit for refunds will apply (except for beta testing), but the 14-day period for refunds will not begin until the date Release “explains the platform. “For example, if you purchase a game in Early Access or Advanced Access, any play time will count toward the two-hour refund limit. »
Be careful not to be too greedy on the games concerned. If, however, you wish to be reimbursed for a game after having played it for less than two hours, you can follow our guide which explains the process step by step.