Valve Updates Early Access Rules

Developers are now given tighter restrictions oh how they can market their unfinished projects.

Valve has updated its rules and guidelines regarding developers using its Steam Early Access program, in a bid to help protect consumers from investing in risky projects.

The rules require developers to specify that a game is Early Access, by name, when distributing Steam keys outside the Steam marketplace. Also the developer should inform the potential players the status of the project, so the customers understand what they are buying. Developers are also asked to avoid making "specific promises about future events," so that customers buy into the game in its current state.

Some of the rules are of financial nature, with one requiring that the game be launched on Early Access at the same time as other storefronts. Sales also need to be consistent, and requires that developers don't set a price on Steam that's higher than other stores.

Developers are also given the basic guidelines on how to make their Early Access game a success. They span from setting proper expectations, to not launching if you need high sales to stay afloat. Launching in Early Access without a playable game, or launching an Early Access of a finished game is not advised.

This comes just days after a report revealed that most Early Access games are still in beta after 20 months, and only 25% have launched full versions.