Valve overhauls Season Passes / DLC on Steam, for the better

Over the course of 2024, Valve has introduced a ton of new and appreciated pro-consumer features to its Steam platform. From the revamped family sharing to increased integration with the Steam Deck and more, Valve has been putting in the work to continue improving the platform. The latest update sees a new, more transparent / user-friendly approach to DLC and Season Passes.

Sharing an updated version of their Steamworks documentation for Season Passes, Valve has changed the way the system works, for the betterment of the players, saying to developers:

“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.”

It continues, “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.”

This means that now, if a DLC or Season Pass is cancelled, Valve will refund players the value of the missing content – no longer relying on the goodwill of the developer/publisher.

With the uncertain future of many live service games, having a guarantee such as this is welcome indeed.

KitGuru says: What do you think of this new alteration to Season Passes? Will it help in the long term? Let us know down below.

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