For two decades, Valve's Steam has been the leading platform for PC games. Now, Valve is leveraging its influence to establish new regulations for season passes and DLC sold on Steam. Among the key changes, publishers are required to provide detailed descriptions for each DLC, along with a three-month launch window. Publishers are allowed to modify the DLC release date only once—within a three-month period beyond the initial scheduled date—without facing intervention from Valve, which could include potential refunds for players.
"By offering a season pass, you are making a promise of future content," Valve states in the updated Steam partners' site. "When launching a Season Pass, you must commit to a launch schedule for each content release. This schedule is a commitment to both customers and Steam. If you are not prepared to clearly communicate the content of each DLC and its launch timing, you should not offer a season pass on Steam."
Additionally, Valve is now limiting season passes to "partners with whom we have a well-established relationship and who have a proven track record on Steam." Games featuring season passes must also have at least one DLC ready for launch at the game's release. The sole exception to this rule applies to season passes included in pre-purchases for deluxe editions.
These new rules aim to provide players with a clearer understanding of their purchases and a means to obtain refunds if publishers fail to adhere to Valve's guidelines. However, Steam's challenges extend beyond these issues. A US Senator recently accused Valve of allowing hate content to spread unchecked on Steam. In other developments, Valve has confirmed that the Steam Deck 2 will represent "a generational leap" over the original, rather than a minor hardware and power upgrade.
Source link: https://www.gamespot.com
