Steam Will Now Refund Purchases within Two Weeks Without Penalty

In a major overhaul to Valve's digital distribution platform, Steam will now offer refunds under more open conditions, the company reported today. Previously, Steam's refund policies have been “once per account” and “we'll take a look,” but the Valve-owned platform now promises refunds for products under these conditions:

• Simply didn't work.
• Minimum hardware requirements not met.
• Game played for fewer than two hours and disliked.
• Game purchased within two weeks and one of the above conditions is met.

Note that Valve has offered to “take a look” if none of these conditions are met. An example of this, for instance, would be if a patch broke a game that you've invested minimally into.

Refunds will be dispatched to Steam Wallet accounts or the original purchasing method. Refunds are applicable on DLC within two weeks of purchase if the host game has been played fewer than two hours since DLC was purchased. If you've got thirty hours in Skyrim and just bought some DLC, but have only played 5 minutes, you could get a refund. Valve notes that Steam can't refund DLC where the content irreversibly advances the game or character.

In-game purchases (microtransactions) can be refunded within 48 hours of purchase on Valve-developed games, like DOTA, CSGO, and TF2; the in-game item must not be consumed, modified, or transferred prior to refund request. Non-Valve developers will have the option to enable refunds for in-game items on the same terms, interestingly.

Pre-purchased games can be refunded at any time prior to release of the game.

Steam Wallet purchases can be refunded within two weeks if purchased through Steam directly (not a gift card) and not consumed.

Bundles can be refunded in full, but have special rules for DLC.

Refunds do not apply to purchases made outside of Steam – a CD key from a game purchased in-store, for instance – or in the case of VAC bannings on the game in question.

Refunds can be requested here.

Perhaps this is a turning point for Valve's support systems.

- Steve “Lelldorianx” Burke.