Steam Users Make Bold Request for EULA Changes

Users on Steam have suggested that video game developers that introduce changes to their end-user license agreements (EULAs) should offer refunds to players that do not wish to accept the new terms and conditions. Steam itself has a platform-wide EULA that has been updated repeatedly over the years, but every game that gets uploaded to and sold on the site is subject to a separate set of terms that fans may not always wish to see altered after purchase.

End-user license agreements are often dozens of pages of legal text that many users do not read in their entirety, with a majority of players often scrolling through quickly and accepting the terms to immediately get into a game. While these agreements are generally harmless for the user, some players feel that modern changes to data collection and a need for online privacy can be at risk when certain entities make abrupt changes to their EULAs. As such, a number of users have started discussions about what should happen when video games on Steam make sudden updates to these agreements.

Reddit users have boldly suggested that players should be entitled to a refund if a game they play makes changes to its EULA. When purchasing or downloading a game, users are often presented with a Terms and Conditions page which contains the end-user license agreement for that title. When changes are made to the agreement, companies are legally obligated to notify users, though they are not always required to detail the specific adjustments made. As such, a multitude of Steam users have voiced a desire for mandated refund offers any time a game changes its EULA. Players agree to a certain set of terms when buying AAA and indie games on Steam, and, should those terms change, they may no longer wish to accept the EULA. As such, users suggest they should be entitled to a refund.

Steam Users Want Refund Requirements For EULA Changes

While many companies use a boilerplate legal outline for their licensing agreements, others may add in unexpected details, like the Easter egg in the Baldur’s Gate 3 EULA. However, users fear more nefarious content can be easily snuck into agreements, especially in the form of post-purchase changes. Many countries around the world have data protection laws in place, but users feel Steam’s parent company Valve should implement legal policies that ensure players do not feel financially obligated to accept altered terms and conditions to avoid throwing away money they invested in a game.

Ensuring player safety in gaming can be a challenge, particularly in the realm of legal agreements. Laws are constantly evolving in an attempt to keep up with rapid technological change, and user feedback can be a great way to achieve positive progress. As it stands, EULA laws are controlled at the government level, though it will be interesting to see if Valve takes any action to implement user protections on Steam.