Mateo Covic, developer at studio Zoroarts, criticized Steam's refund policy after his short rage game received over 55,000 refunds despite strong player reviews. According to GamesRadar, Covic argues that the current policy, which allows automatic refunds for any purchase with less than two hours of playtime within 14 days, "makes it super easy for players to abuse this rule".
While his comments gained traction in the community, Covic clarified his stance in an interview: "I'm 100% pro refund". His core complaint centers on players leaving positive reviews while requesting refunds, suggesting intentional use of the policy as a free trial alternative.
Valve's refund guidelines state that refunds should not be used "as a way to get free games," but Covic questions whether the current implementation actually prevents this behavior. He emphasizes support for consumer rights and opposes eroding player protections, yet believes there is room to adjust how the policy functions in practice.
The issue highlights a recurring tension: balancing legitimate buyer protection against the reality of very short games, whose entire runtime can fit comfortably within the refund window without necessarily constituting misconduct.
