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Steam tighten up rules for games with season pass DLC: “you have to commit to completing that content on time"DLC delays now limited to three months, plus mandatory refunds for cancellations
DLC delays now limited to three months, plus mandatory refunds for cancellations
Image credit:Valve
Image credit:Valve
“If you aren’t ready to clearly communicate about the content included in each DLC AND when each DLC will be ready for launch, you shouldn’t offer a Season Pass on Steam,” it goes on.
“Selling a Season Pass has risks; since you are promising the release of future content, you have to commit to completing that content on time. If customers don’t like the content you’re releasing in the Season Pass or the timing of that content release, that will be reflected in sales and reviews.”
The post includes a set of required features for any season pass on Steam. Come feast your eyes upon these hot juicy bulletpoints:
A complete list of all DLC included in the Pass. (i.e. listing each of the four DLCs included in a Pass).
A basic description of the content that’s included in each DLC. For example, the first content release might be “The Glitterlands Expansion - New area to explore, two new weapons, and new enemies.” It’s not required for the DLC to have a final name at the launch of the Season Pass. The information about the content in the DLC doesn’t need to be detailed (simply “new weapons” or “two new weapons” is acceptable, they don’t have to list the exact weapons).
Expected release date for each DLC. Quarter and Year (i.e. January to March 2025) or Season/Year is acceptable. Of course, a date that’s more precise is also fine (i.e. June, 2025 or June 1st, 2025).
Valve add that a season pass should include at least one released DLC when it goes on sale, with the obvious exception of season passes sold as part of a pre-order.
In the event of DLC cancellations, Valve mandate that customers will be offered a refund for the value of unreleased DLC. The company may take action on any DLC delays of longer than three months, even if there hasn’t been a customer complaint.
“Actions include removing the Season Pass from sale on Steam, refunding all customers who purchased the Season Pass for the value of unreleased DLC, or allowing customers the option of refunding the entire Season Pass,” the post goes on. “For the purposes of refunds, the value of unreleased DLC will be decided in discussion with Valve.”
