Valve issues a Warning!

Summary

In this video, the creator discusses Valve's recent efforts to improve transparency around Early Access games on Steam. They explain the distinction between Early Access and Advanced Access, emphasizing the former as a development model where games are played in an unfinished state, while the latter is about gaining early access through premium purchases. Valve's new feature warns users if a game hasn't been updated in a long time, addressing the issue of abandoned games. However, the creator points out potential loopholes and suggests further improvements, including delisting games that are no longer being developed.

Takeaways

• 😀 Valve made a distinction between 'Early Access' (games in development) and 'Advanced Access' (pre-purchase for early play).
• 😀 Advanced Access refers to paying extra for early play, while Early Access is for games still being developed and regularly updated.
• 😀 Valve introduced clearer guidelines and rules for Early Access games to inform customers about the game's current state.
• 😀 Early Access games must be playable and provide enough content for feedback, avoiding concepts that are too early in development.
• 😀 Valve warns users when games in Early Access haven't been updated in a long time, like the eight-year gap for 'Cavern Kings.'
• 😀 'Cavern Kings' had not been updated in eight years, and Valve now labels such games with warnings about their unfinished status.
• 😀 Valve provides warnings on games that are no longer in active development but are still playable, offering more transparency to customers.
• 😀 'Heartbound' by Pirate Software hadn't been updated for 13 months before the devs promised monthly updates after Valve's new policies.
• 😀 Valve's new update system helps users avoid purchasing dead or unfinished games, but there's a potential loophole for scammers.
• 😀 A potential loophole exists where devs could release minimal updates (e.g., a new character skin) to bypass the 'dead game' warning.
• 😀 The speaker supports Early Access as a system but wants stronger rules, such as delisting dead games and preventing scams.

Q & A

What is the distinction between Early Access and Advanced Access on Steam?

Valve made a distinction between Early Access and Advanced Access. Early Access refers to games in development that are available for players to give feedback. Advanced Access, on the other hand, refers to games that you can play early by purchasing higher-tier versions, like collector's editions, before the official release.

Why does the author consider Advanced Access a scam?

The author views Advanced Access as a scam because it is often used by publishers to allow players to pay for early access to a game, which is not part of a game's development process. It's more about making money before the full game is released, rather than providing a chance for players to provide feedback on an unfinished game.

What is Valve's stance on Early Access games?

Valve views Early Access as a model where games can be played while they are still being developed. It encourages developers to update the game and engage with the community for feedback, while providing customers with clear context about the unfinished state of the game.

How has Valve improved the way customers understand Early Access games?

Valve now includes information about how long it’s been since a game in Early Access has received an update. This provides customers with more transparency, helping them make informed decisions before purchasing a game that may not have been updated in a while.

What is the significance of the Cavern Kings game mentioned in the video?

Cavern Kings is a game that has been in Early Access for eight years without updates, which the author finds problematic. Valve now warns customers about games that haven’t been updated in a long time, offering transparency to prevent consumers from spending money on games with no ongoing development.

What change did Valve make to improve transparency in Early Access games?

Valve introduced a feature where it shows how long it has been since a game in Early Access received an update. This feature is designed to help customers avoid purchasing games that may not be actively updated or developed.

What is the loophole that the author mentions regarding how publishers can avoid Valve's 'Dead Game' warning?

The author suggests that publishers could easily bypass Valve's 'Dead Game' warning by making minimal updates like changing character skins or loading screens, which wouldn’t require significant development but would still be counted as an update to avoid the warning.

How can players make sure that a game in Early Access is receiving meaningful updates?

Before purchasing an Early Access game, players should check the 'See All Updates' button on the store page, which lets them view the patch notes. This can help them assess whether real work is being done on the game or if the updates are superficial.

What does Valve require from developers before they release a game in Early Access?

Valve requires that developers have a playable version of the game before launching in Early Access. They must also provide clear information about the game’s current state, including gameplay videos and context about the game’s ongoing development.

What would the author like Valve to do with games like Cavern Kings that no longer receive updates?

The author suggests that Valve should consider delisting games like Cavern Kings that are no longer in development, or at least ensure they are not available for purchase. However, players who have already bought the game should still be able to play it.