Valve Tightens Guidelines for Season Pass Sales on Steam
In a significant move aimed at enhancing transparency within its marketplace, Valve has revised its guidelines regarding the sale of season passes on Steam. The updated directives, outlined in the latest Steamworks documentation, require developers and publishers to establish a definitive release date when promoting upcoming content associated with season passes on their game store pages.
Valve emphasizes the importance of clear communication, stating that if companies cannot provide specific timelines for forthcoming content, they should refrain from selling or permitting pre-orders for such offerings. This shift underscores Valve’s commitment to ensuring that customers have a clear understanding of what to expect when they invest in a season pass.
While developers and publishers are encouraged to specify exact release dates, they also have the option to provide a broader release window—such as a quarter, year, or season. This flexibility allows for some leeway while still maintaining a level of accountability.
In their guidance, Valve articulated, “By offering a Season Pass, you are promising future content.” They further clarified that launching a season pass entails a commitment to a launch schedule for each piece of content included within it. This commitment is not only to the customers but also to the integrity of the Steam platform itself.
Valve’s message is clear: if developers and publishers are unable to communicate effectively about the content and its anticipated release dates, they should reconsider offering a season pass on Steam. This initiative aims to foster a more reliable and trustworthy environment for gamers, ensuring that expectations align with reality.
