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Valve Adds More Strict Rules for Steam's Early Access Service - News

by William D'Angelo , posted on 21 November 2014 / 3,674 Views

Valve has added more strict requirements for games to be released on Steam's Early Access service. Several Early Access titles has had issues, which is what led to the stricter rules. It was also reported that only a quarter of Early Access titles have been completed.

"For example, there is no way you can know exactly when the game will be finished, that the game will be finished, or that planned future additions will definitely happen," read the new rules. "Do not ask your customers to bet on the future of your game. Customers should be buying your game based on its current state, not on promises of a future that may or may not be realized."

"There is no guarantee that your game will sell as many units as you anticipate. If you are counting on selling a specific number of units to survive and complete your game, then you need to think carefully about what it would mean for you or your team if you don't sell that many units. Are you willing to continue developing the game without any sales? Are you willing to seek other forms of investment?"

Developers are no longer allowed to release games on Early Access that are not playable or games that will not be developed further. Games will also no longer be branded Early Access if the developer has distributed keys on other sites.

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A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel dedicated to gaming Let's Plays and tutorials. Outside, in the real world, he has a passion for the outdoors which includes everything from hiking to having received his B.A. in Environmental Studies. You can contact the author at wdangelo@vgchartz.com or on Twitter @TrunksWD.


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3 Comments
naruball (on 22 November 2014)

Ugh. More strict =/ stricter
The title suggest that steam already had strict rules and now it's getting more of them. When in reality the rules are getting stricter.
Does anyone edit these articles before they're posted?

  • +1
Admiralsnake (on 21 November 2014)

Agree 100%

  • +1
FujiokaMidori (on 23 November 2014)

What's Steam?

  • 0