From now on, developers offering Season Passes on Steam will have to respect their schedule or risk withdrawal and refunds.
The arrival of DLC in the world of video games has allowed the industry to adopt a new economic model. Today, more than installed, this additional content is sometimes even the subject of pre-purchase even before the release of the associated game, grouped in what is called a Season Pass.
However, sometimes developers and publishers do not follow the schedule associated with this content to the detriment of players. It is in this context that Steam is tightening its rules in this area for the good of players.
On time
Steam writes it in black and white in its documentation, “by offering a Season Pass, you are promising future content”. A simple sentence in appearance, but full of meaning for developers keen to offer additional content on the platform. In fact, Steam is now asking developers to commit to a launch date for each content release appearing on a Season Pass, all of which thus creates a “commitment to customers and Steam”.
In detail, Steam invites developers to express as clearly as possible the content of each DLC included in the Pass as well as a release date at least in the form “ Quarter / year ». Conditions on which Valve is categorical: “If you are not prepared to clearly communicate what content is included in each DLC AND when each DLC will be ready to launch, you should not offer a Season Pass on Steam”.
In favor of the players
This change in policy comes in favor of players, thus preventing them from funding the coffers of a studio without obtaining compensation. However, Steam leaves a way out for developers, aware of the production conditions in the industries. Professionals will thus be able to reprogram themselves once and once only the date of their Season Pass up to three months after the date initially planned.
In the event that the Season Pass is canceled or not exceptionally published after one year, Steam may remove the pass from its store and players will be refund the entire Season Pass. If a specific DLC from a Season Pass is canceled, players will be refunded the value of the unpublished DLC.
