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[Giftofgab24]

Wait, what? A few years ago, I bought a game I absolutely hated. Finished the campaign within​that same day, then took it back the next day. They gave me trade-in credit for it. Are you saying that they give you full refunds within the week?

He's put a little misinformation out. A brand new sealed game cannot be returned for any reason. You can exchange it for the same game or sell it back for way less in credit. Used games however have a one week return policy. this doesn't apply to any new games.

 

[Nester99]

Time to step up sony.

2 hours is very reasonable. good on them (for copying Steam)

 

[ScaryShark]

What if a game displays its severe technical issues, at like, 5 hours? Or even further, like Skyrim on PS3?

I definitely understand, that shorter games need to be protected from refund abuse, but some genres are too long for a 2 hour limit.

If only there was some way to know about the issues and problems a game has outside of you directly playing it.

 

[tim1138]

I wish this would have been available when Fallout 4 came out, but good on MS.

 

[FairXchange]

That's great, good move MS!

 

[Dabanton]

Does this essentially mean a potential 2 hour demo on every digital purchase ?

Could be a great way to try out games you're iffy on.

I would imagine constant refunders would be flagged.

 

[ClayKavalier]

Holy shit, crazy how Microsoft has changed since the beginning of this generation. Exhibit A for how important strong competition is for consumers.

I wonder if any games will get hit hard by this. Did Steam figure out a way to protect short indie games from abuse?

 

[Hockeymac18]

Asssssins creed unity , halo MCC to name a few.

I feel like these are exceptions not the rule, and could fall under this part of my post:

I suppose there are exceptions here...and perhaps in those cases, they could be handled individually by customer support (i.e. like it's handled now).

Those games made headlines for being broken partly because of how rare it is to have significant widespread issues like that.

Or people ordering a game they may like but end up not liking.

People that bought ME3 then read all the issues etc

Not liking a game after finishing it, or playing a significant amount of it, should not fall under this policy. This is about games being broken and/or being unplayable.

In regards to "not liking a game", you usually have a great idea if the gameplay is to your liking within 2 hours. And the customer service lines will still be there for exceptions.


If you want a standardized and painless way to get refunds without involving a human, you gotta make cutoffs like this - and I think 2 hours is a reasonable cutoff. Otherwise people will exploit and abuse it. And for exceptions, make your case to a human in a customer service center.

 

[TLZ]

This is good.

 

[VanCityGamer]

Maybe I'm just different than most in how I buy games, but this feature does absolutely nothing for me. I don't think I've ever bought a game and then thought, "oh shit, I wish I could return it" after a couple hours. I watch a review or two, check Metacritic, and take a look at the type of game and then know if I'll like it. I don't blindly buy games.

That said, I'm not saying adding this feature is a bad thing. Of course not. I just kind of laugh when I see people say "megaton", "game changer", etc.

 

[Syrus]

I feel like these are exceptions not the rule, and could fall under this part of my post:



Those games made headlines for being broken partly because of how rare it is to have significant widespread issues like that.



Not liking a game after finishing it, or playing a significant amount of it, should not fall under this policy. This is about games being broken and/or being unplayable.

In regards to "not liking a game", you usually have a great idea if the gameplay is to your liking within 2 hours. And the customer service lines will still be there for exceptions.


If you want a standardized and painless way to get refunds without involving a human, you gotta make cutoffs like this - and I think 2 hours is a reasonable cutoff. Otherwise people will exploit and abuse it. And for exceptions, make your case to a human in a customer service center.

They cant finish the game in 2 hours

 

[Dinky Dino]

Time to step up sony.

2 hours is very reasonable. good on them (for copying Steam)

Yea they could have gone 3-4 hours to really bring it home but whatever. Playing it safe is alright too

 

[Head.spawn]

Hmm, can't help but think that Microsoft doing this might end up being a boon for Sony's 3rd party relations now that PSN is now the sole digital storefront for the high-end gaming platforms to not have refunds.

Great for consumers, and full kudos to Microsoft for finally doing what was right here, but I'm certain the big 3rd-parties (Esp. Warner Bros, who all but pulled-out of Steam because of Refunds) are fuming internally over this.



They won't.

#4The3rdParties

We already have a real-world example of a major 3rd Party reacting adversely to refunds (Warner Bros' games and DLCs going consoles-only for a period after Steam introduced them, for example), and Sony has literally no reason to when the majority of console gamers are already locked into the PlayStation ecosystem.

I could see a chance of Nintendo choosing to, however, in light of how many good decisions they've been making with the Switch.

When did Warner Bros pull out of Steam? Huh

 

[Syriel]

Yesssss
now get on board sony

Your move Sony.

Sony's response:

You're more likely to win the lottery than to get a refund from the PlayStation store.

 

[OriginalPoe]

Adopting Valves policy. Nice.

HI THERE SONY

Sony will have the same policy within 3 months or I'll eat a chocolate bar.

 

[SwiftDeath]

Great move on MS's part

Barely use my XB1 but certainly a much more attractive policy for an ecosystem than Sony or Nintendo currently

Can only hope it forces the other market leaders to adapt and compete

 

[blast processed]

Literally, that image is gigantic when clicked on in the OP.

LMAO

But yes, this is great news.

 

[oxidax]

thats great but i actually want a refund for my fh3 because i did not only lose my save thanks to their update but for some reason now the game runs like shit.

 

[Kyoufu]

Sony's response:

You're more likely to win the lottery than to get a refund from the PlayStation store.

I've gotten a handful of refunds before. I've yet to win the lottery though.

 

[Syriel]

I've gotten a handful of refunds before. I've yet to win the lottery though.

You should buy a ticket and test your luck.

My last experience with Sony CS went something like this:

Me: "So I redeemed a code for a game that I already had as a PS+ title, but it didn't convert to fully owned."

Sony: "You can't upgrade a game like that. It has to be removed from your account first."

Me: "Ok, can you fix it?"

Sony: "We removed the PS+ title from your account, but the redemption code is now invalid because you used it. Sorry, nothing we can do. Next time, don't use a code for a PS+ game already in your account."

Me: "Well, can you manually add the game to my account?"

Sony: "Nope. You can buy another copy tho."

 

[BobLoblaw]

My decision to skip out on this console gen is starting to bite me in the ass. This is great for gamers. Hopefully, Indie devs aren't impacted.

 

[BodiesWithoutOrgans]

So you can buy a game and if you didn't like it return it basically?

That's awesome?

 

[spannicus]

Microsoft isnt holding back. Nice, gotta give em props for leading the way no doubt.

 

[Daouzin]

Awesome, Nintendo and Sony need to follow suit.

I know Nintendo will probably catch up around 2021, but hopefully Sony does this year.

 

[FleetFeet]

Sony's response:

You're more likely to win the lottery than to get a refund from the PlayStation store.

Hey now, I've received a couple refunds myself, so it's really not as rare as you make it seem.

 

[III-V]

Great policy in general. WTG MS.

 

[IbizaPocholo]

Great news.

 

[Solo Act]

Hey now, I've received a couple refunds myself, so it's really not as rare as you make it seem.

I got a refund from Sony for a digital pre-order before it came out about a year or two ago (forget which game, I think Dragon Age maybe). But despite that, after a handful of interactions with all 4 of the primary game companies, I'd still put Microsoft firmly on top. Valve might be second. Sony and Nintendo can fight it out at the bottom.

 

[Kyoufu]

Hey now, I've received a couple refunds myself, so it's really not as rare as you make it seem.

While his post is hyperbole, it's not far from the truth either. They blocked my PSN ID from reaching their customer support webchat after the No Man's Sky refund. Awful service.

 

[farisr]

That's cool. I don't buy digital much. One of the benefits of physical is that in the rare case that I end up buying a game I really don't like, I can just sell it off. So purchasing a game digitally is basically a big no-no to me due to that aspect. I still prefer physical and will continue with that for the vast majority, but with something like this, I will have more ease of mind, and feel a little more inclined to make a digital purchase for certain games that I'm super confident about getting but don't buy digitally due to that small chance that the game doesn't gel with me.

 

[FleetFeet]

I got a refund from Sony for a digital pre-order before it came out about a year or two ago (forget which game, I think Dragon Age maybe). But despite that, after a handful of interactions with all 4 of the primary game companies, I'd still put Microsoft firmly on top. Valve might be second. Sony and Nintendo can fight it out at the bottom.

While his post is hyperbole, it's not far from the truth either. They blocked my PSN ID from reaching their customer support webchat after the No Man's Sky refund. Awful service.

It's far from perfect, but it was helluva lot more frequent than the 1 in 400,000,000 odds he was implying.

 

[Prototype Viktor]

Microsoft.steam.com? If you're trying to make PC the console so much with same OS might as well go full steam

 

[notaskwid]

What happens if you buy a code from a third party?
I'm not a big fun of digital refunds since the money is only refunded to your digital wallet and you can't take it out, but for those who want to use this, good news.
And yes, I'm aware that most physical stores also only offer in store refunds.

 

[ElNino]

Wait, what? A few years ago, I bought a game I absolutely hated. Finished the campaign within​that same day, then took it back the next day. They gave me trade-in credit for it. Are you saying that they give you full refunds within the week?

He's put a little misinformation out. A brand new sealed game cannot be returned for any reason. You can exchange it for the same game or sell it back for way less in credit. Used games however have a one week return policy. this doesn't apply to any new games.

That's not exactly true, at least not at EB. If you are a Platinum Edge member, you are entitled to one satisfaction (ie. you don't like the game) exchange per purchase within 7 days (10 days if you are an Onyx member).

Personally, I've never used it but I probably should have for NMS or For Honor as it was clear they weren't games I was going to enjoy long term.

 

[kraspkibble]

Great move my Microsoft. I am all digital on PS4 and would love Sony to do this. I think they will eventually because this could add just one more reason for someone to get an xbox.

Steam does it. Microsoft does it. Sony??? Cmon get it together sony and while you're at it let us change our names.

What happens if you buy a code from a third party?
I'm not a big fun of digital refunds since the money is only refunded to your digital wallet and you can't take it out, but for those who want to use this, good news.
And yes, I'm aware that most physical stores also only offer in store refunds.

You're out of luck. A few games I've bought 3rd party codes for steam and not liked. It's just a risk you need to be willing to take.

On Steam you can get refunded to your wallet or original payment.

 

[Ratrat]

Poor indie devs. Inside could probably be finished in two hours.

 

[Head.spawn]

Poor indie devs. Inside could probably be finished in two hours.

I highly doubt people are going to be willing to permanently give up all rights to refund just to rip off a couple indie games.

 

[watdaeff4]

Good for MS.

I don't see Sony following suit on this, they will have very little incentive to do so.

And this wasn't done to get "one up" on Sony, this is to be more comparable with Steam.

 

[7DollarHagane]

The bare minimum required for digital purchases not to be only on deep sale items.

 

[Uno Venova]

Damn this might be the best thing Microsoft has done this entire generation, need this to be a console standard.

 

[RedRum]

Good on MS for this.

I wonder how hard MS will go on repeat refunders.

 

[watdaeff4]

Good on MS for this.

I wonder how hard MS will go on repeat refunders.

I'm sure after "X" number it will flag

 

[Crayon]

This is really great. Everyone needs to get on board with this. Especially if they don't want to do dick about customer service. If we are not happy with the product for any reason, at least let us refund the thing ourselves and be done with it. I'd like for everyone to get on board with this.

 

[Phat 2000 Dola]

My decision to skip out on this console gen is starting to bite me in the ass. This is great for gamers. Hopefully, Indie devs aren't impacted.

Not sure how Indie devs would get impacted? Customer gets refund, Indie doesnt get their $$. Just like any other publisher/dev

 

[Knuckle Sandwich]

Noice. I bought Lego Worlds and For Honor on a whim a couple days ago and don't like either. Thanks, Phil.

 

[Hubble]

Maybe I'm just different than most in how I buy games, but this feature does absolutely nothing for me. I don't think I've ever bought a game and then thought, "oh shit, I wish I could return it" after a couple hours. I watch a review or two, check Metacritic, and take a look at the type of game and then know if I'll like it. I don't blindly buy games.

That said, I'm not saying adding this feature is a bad thing. Of course not. I just kind of laugh when I see people say "megaton", "game changer", etc.

This feature is very useful and common on Steam. You may think it doesn't affect you but soon enough, it will. I'll give you an example. I was loving H1Z1 King of the Kill. A game came out called The Culling. It is a battle royale game like H1. The Culling was becoming very popular on streams, and since it resembled a hunger games-like king of the kill game, a new genre that I was enjoying, I bought it. I did not like the game at all. Despite many people playing it from H1 on Twitch, I did not like the game at all. I thought it was absolute trash despite its popularity. I refunded it. Another example is Don't Starve. I love survival games and wanted to try them all, and this game was not what I expected and really hard. I refunded it. You probably don't buy enough games to experience the need for a refund.

 

[bender]

Amazing feature. I hope Sony copies this as well but am skeptical that they will.

 

[Saucycarpdog]

Hmm, can't help but think that Microsoft doing this might end up being a boon for Sony's 3rd party relations now that PSN is now the sole digital storefront for the high-end gaming platforms to not have refunds.

Great for consumers, and full kudos to Microsoft for finally doing what was right here, but I'm certain the big 3rd-parties (Esp. Warner Bros, who all but pulled-out of Steam because of Refunds) are fuming internally over this.

Warner Bros is literally the only one who has done this so far. And they pulled out of PC because Arkham Knight was a PR disaster that crippled their reputation on the platform, not refunds. The PC version overshadowed any discussion and positivity about the game.

Instead of trying to win back PC players, they're just taking their ball and going home. If that's how WBs going to act for selling gamers absolute crap, then imo good riddance.

 

[Calm waterfall]

This is huge.

 

[JaseC]

Good stuff. Hopefully Nintendo and Sony follow suit sooner rather than later.