Valve tightens Early Access guidelines for developers

Valve is reportedly going to tighten the rules regarding the Early Access service of the download platform Steam. This should ensure that players do not have false expectations when purchasing a game that has yet to be officially released.

Users get early access to a game through Steam’s Early Access service. The games are often still in development and that point should be clear according to Valve. For example, from now on, the title Early Access must always be clearly stated if it is not about the final version of the game, GiantBomb writes.

In addition, it is requested not to make any promises about expected future developments. Developers can’t say for sure what the future will bring, according to Valve, and users can’t be expected to bet on the future. According to Valve, they should buy a game based on its current state and not based on promises that a developer may not be able to deliver.

Valve also gives developers some guidelines. For example, it is recommended not to release a game if they cannot afford a disappointing sale. A game must already have something to offer, but on the other hand a title may not bear the Early Access tag if the game has already been largely completed in practice.

In the past period, the Early Access service has been discredited several times. For example, a Paranautical Activity developer recently expressed his frustration after the game’s final release was incorrectly titled Early Access. Spacebase DF-9 continued to make headlines after the game’s development could no longer be paid for.