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Steam updated Season Pass Policy tackle SP DLC delays and cancellations

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MSKOTOR

https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/store/seasonpass

By offering a Season Pass, you are promising future content. In the process of launching a Season Pass you will be asked to commit to a launch timing for each content release in the Season Pass. That launch timing is a commitment to both customers and Steam.
If you aren't ready to clearly communicate about the content included in each DLC AND when each DLC will be ready for launch, you shouldn't offer a Season Pass on Steam.

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When a Season Pass is made available for purchase on Steam, it must include the following information:

  • A complete list of all DLC included in the Pass. (i.e. listing each of the four DLCs included in a Pass).
  • A basic description of the content that’s included in each DLC. For example, the first content release might be “The Glitterlands Expansion – New area to explore, two new weapons, and new enemies.” It’s not required for the DLC to have a final name at the launch of the Season Pass. The information about the content in the DLC doesn’t need to be detailed (simply “new weapons” or “two new weapons” is acceptable, they don’t have to list the exact weapons).
  • Expected release date for each DLC. Quarter and Year (i.e. January to March 2025) or Season/Year is acceptable. Of course, a date that’s more precise is also fine (i.e. June, 2025 or June 1st, 2025).

Developers can re-schedule the Season Pass content themselves once, any further delays with Steam approval. If developers cancel DLC planned for the Season Pass, customers can get a refund for the value of unreleased content.

2 months ago

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Do you think developers will play along?

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10 Comments
Axelflox

Oh, they're finally enforcing some basic rules on that stuff, good.
Considering that this is now a Steam policy and that devs/publishers will have to refund customers for content that wasn't delivered I think they have no choice but to play along, or more likely they'll just stop promising content too far into the future and make seasons shorter or season passes smaller.

2 months ago
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MSKOTOR

I also think they will stop to promise so much in SP. Or they will shift from promising SP content to "long battlepass" support. It looks like BP does not fall under this guideline.

Somewhat muddying these two definitions is the fact that many games creatively name their Battle Passes, sometimes even calling them Season Passes, but for the purposes of this documentation, we’ll keep these functional definitions separate.

2 months ago
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MagnificentOne

Thinking about Atlus not including The Answer in their season pass of Persona 3 because its an "expansion" and not a "DLC". I'm not sure this will change much.

2 months ago*
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Adelion

Well, at least the customer would know before that this part of the game will not be part of the Season Pass. So,they may skip on the Season Pass all along as it does not contain what they wanted.

It is more information. It should be helfpul anyway. It's a shame anyway that the answer has to be purchased extra after the generous price of Persona 3 Reloaded O.o

2 months ago
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MSKOTOR

If devs will not include The Answer on the list of Season Pass content, then I don't see how they would be to blame.

It is fans expectation that Season Pass will include everything. Because it used to be a thing in the past. You buy SP and you get all post-release content. Look what the Borderlands series is doing for a few years now. Season pass is a way to milk more money upfront, and then often under-deliver.

If there is more clarity from the start on what is included in the season pass, then users can't complain that additional content that was not listed with SP is not past of SP. "What you see is what you get".

2 months ago
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Ekaros

Seems reasonable. You should tell customers what they get and when.

2 months ago
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Fraden

I would very much like that. Especially the description part. Hate it when you can't tell what's included in package or whether the DLC i actual content or just some cosmetics.

2 months ago
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MSKOTOR

They still don't need to be very specific. "Season pass includes some new weapons and skins for your furry friend" looks like an adequate description. But we will need to see how it works out. Devs may make 50 "DLCs" with one skin in each, and list it all in the description. That is not something easy to read

2 months ago
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Cim

Devs that do that will telegraph their shady intentions though. Super easy to avoid.

2 months ago
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Fluffster

Heh I guess Ubisoft will be done selling on Steam soon again

2 months ago
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