'This Should Not Be Possible': Developer Calls for Steam Refund Policy to Change, After Fans Complete Bitesize Game in Under 2 Hours, Leave Great Reviews
A developer is calling for changes to Steam's refund policy after a loophole allowed players to finish and review a game before requesting refunds.
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The brief
The indie game 'Paddle Paddle Paddle' has become a co-op hit on Steam. However, because the game is 'bitesize' and can be completed in under two hours, players are finishing the experience, leaving positive reviews, and then utilizing a refund loophole.
Coverage from Kotaku and IGN reports that the game has been refunded 55,000 times. Mein-MMO emphasizes that while the title is popular, this loophole is causing the developer to miss out on significant revenue.
The developer is now calling for Steam to modify its refund policy to address this issue.
Synthesized by Archynetys from the headlines below under a strict no-invention contract. ✓ fact-checked: all claims supported by sources Updated 1h ago.
Quick answers
What game is affected by this refund loophole?
The indie co-op game 'Paddle Paddle Paddle'.
How many times has the game been refunded?
According to Kotaku, the game has been refunded 55,000 times.
Why are players able to refund the game after completion?
The game is short enough to be completed in under two hours, allowing players to finish it and leave reviews before triggering a refund.
Coverage (6)
- Indie dev asks Steam to review return policy after players beat the game and get refunds Niche Gamer · 7h ago
- Dev tells Valve to fix Steam's exploitable 2-hour refund policy as "over 55,000" players refund his short game and even brag about it in reviews GamesRadar+ · 7h ago
- Paddle Paddle Paddle IGN Nordic · 7h ago
- Indie Dev Says Game Refunded 55,000 Times Via Steam Loophole Kotaku · 7h ago
- Players love a co-op hit on Steam, but a loophole is causing the developer to miss out on a fortune Mein-MMO · 7h ago
- 'This Should Not Be Possible': Developer Calls for Steam Refund Policy to Change, After Fans Complete Bitesize Game in Under 2 Hours, Leave Great Reviews IGN · 7h ago
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