Valve has revealed a novel season pass policy on Steam, which aims to ensure that developers release all individual DLC on time and provide appropriate details about each DLC pack in advance. Specifies that developers can delay the release of season pass DLC only once and for no more than three months. If a developer delays the release of a DLC for more than three months, Valve may take corrective action, such as withdrawing the season pass from sale or refunding players’ money.
“By offering a season pass, you are promising future content,” we read mentioned Steamworks postwhich has been disseminated Blue (aka, Twitter 2010 Edition) by SteamDB.info creator Pavel Djundik last night. “During the Season Pass launch process, you will be asked to specify a release date for each content included in the Season Pass,” it reads. “The release date is a commitment from both customers and Steam.
“If you are not prepared to clearly communicate the content of each DLC AND when each DLC will be ready for release, you should not offer the Season Pass on Steam,” it continues.
“Selling the Season Pass comes with risk; because you promise to release future content, you must commit to completing that content on time. If customers don’t like the content you provide in the Season Pass or the timing of its release, the content will be released and this will be reflected in sales and reviews.”
The post includes a set of required features for each Steam Season Pass. Come and feast your eyes on these sizzling, juicy spots:
– Full list of all DLC included in the pass. (i.e. a list of each of the four DLCs included in the Pass).
– Basic description of the content included in each DLC. For example, the first release might be “Glitterlands Expansion – New Area to Explore, Two New Weapons, and New Enemies.” DLC is not required to have a final name at the time of the Season Pass release. DLC content information does not have to be detailed (simply “new weapon” or “two new weapons” is acceptable, it does not have to include an exact list of weapons).
– Expected release date of each DLC. Quarter and year (i.e. January to March 2025) or season/year are acceptable. Of course, a more precise date is also fine (e.g. June 2025 or June 1, 2025).
Valve adds that the season pass should include at least one released DLC when it goes on sale, with the obvious exception of season passes sold as part of a pre-order.
As for delays in DLC releases sold as part of the season pass, Valve will allow developers to “self-advance the release date one time” up to “up to 3 months later than originally selected.” If the DLC pack requires a longer extension, the developers will have to contact Valve directly and negotiate this.
In the event of DLC cancellation, Valve guarantees that customers will be offered a refund for the value of the unreleased DLC. The company may take action for DLC delays of more than three months, even if no customer complaint has been filed.
“Actions include withdrawing the Season Pass from sale on Steam, refunding all customers who purchased the Season Pass for the value of unreleased DLC, or allowing customers to refund the entire Season Pass,” it continues. “For refund purposes, the value of unreleased DLC will be determined in consultation with Valve.”
