Steam has a new 90 minute game trial feature

Source: Valve

Steam is venturing into new territory to supposedly combat the bad reputation of they two hour return system.

Previously, whenever you buy a game you have two hours of total playtime to return it. On top of that you also have a two week window from when you purchased the game. Now, it's important to note that, when you return the game in this window it's an automatic process. You can still submit a ticket for returning a game outside of this window of time although, it is manually processed and determined through a human.

Source: Inverse

With this new game trial system, you can play a game for a total of 90 minutes free of charge. So, before you even buy it, you have a chance to play the latest games releasing. This trail system is currently available with the game 'Dead Space.' It's safe to assume that this will become standard as it is tested throughout the next few Steam updates.

A Step in the Right Direction

This is a step in the right direction for Steam as their return system has always been riddled with controversy.

Here are a few articles discussing some specific topics that have come up through the refund system: (All articles/forums cited to original posts)

• Steam's two-hour refund policy leads to indie developer quitting game development

• Steam refund doesnt give option to change refund location

• STEAM REFUNDS ARE ALREADY CONTROVERSIAL

What this new policy tells us is that there is clearly something wrong with Steam's current return system. Now, as some articles have stated, there are some instances where the Steam use is the one abusing the refund window. Although, the system allows for users to abuse it so easily. This is especially apparent when the game has an already open controversy surrounding it.

Source: Wallpaper Abyss

This was showcased with the release of Battlefield 2042. Everyone in the gaming space knew that the game was unfinished and unpolished. With the sudden announcement of the delay of content, gamers were rightfully outraged and demanded refunds from the Steam platform. Of course, not all refunds were granted as they were individually done by a human (those who played more than two hours of the game). Although some people were fortune enough to be granted their refund regardless of their playtime. (Context).

With all of this past controversy, this new system is a step in the right direction and would give players more feasible control over what games they decide to buy.