Microsoft beginning to roll out digital game refund system

[WMGroomAK]

In what can be looked at as a great way for trying out new games through the Xbox One and Windows Store, Microsoft is rolling out a program for a new Self-Service Refund policy.  From an article on Hexus:

http://hexus.net/gaming/news/industry/104593-microsoft-offer-xbox-one-windows-digital-games-refunds/

Quote

Evidence that Microsoft is considering a new refund policy for digital sales of Xbox and Windows games has shown up in the latest alpha of the Xbox One Insider program. Reddit user GaymerRaver took a screenshot of the key announcement on his console. In summary it said Microsoft has now begun 'self-service refunds' so that people can 'return' a digital product whenever "a game or app leases you wanting more," or in other words it doesn't live up to expectations.

 

So the terms of this appear to be that gamers would be able to change their minds on  games purchased within 14-days and having a total gameplay limited to less than 2 hours across devices.  Of course, DLCs, Add-Ons and Season Passes are excluded from this policy and if Microsoft feels that someone is abusing the program, they reserve the right to restrict access to the Self-Service Refund system.  

 

Hot Hardware's Article stipulates that the program is currently only rolling out to 'select Microsoft Insiders' for the time being, however, this may be a great way for Windows to follow Valve's lead and create a system for people to try out new games as well as expand their online store.

http://hothardware.com/news/microsoft-offers-self-service-refunds-on-xbox-one-and-windows-10-games

 

EDIT:  To expand onto this a little bit further, I guess the program can't please everyone, especially some of the smaller Game Dev companies...  According to a WCCFTech article (so of course grains of salt may apply) the group at The Chinese Room (Dear Esther, Amnesia) feels that the self service refunds should not be based just on the number of hours played, but should instead operate on the games completion.

http://wccftech.com/the-chinese-room-xbox-refunds-bollocks/

Quote

About a year ago, they not-so-covertly accused CD Projekt RED of sexism in both The Witcher and the upcoming Cyberpunk 2077. Now they’ve targeted the brand new self-service refunds program that Microsoft made available to select members of the Insider program, saying that it is “bollocks” and refunds should instead operate on a percentage of the game’s completion.

 

Quote

Bit depressed about Xbox jumping on the 2hr refund BOLLOCKS ARSEHOLE WHY WHY WHY YOU FOOLS CANNOT SUSTAIN NORMAL TEMPER WTF MODERN CULTURE— The Chinese Room (@ChineseRoom) April 13, 2017

Quote

 

It's REALLY simple. Refunds should operate off a percentage of game completed. Simple, fair, representative. This 2 hour thing is just cock

— The Chinese Room (@ChineseRoom) April 13, 2017

 

 

 

This does raise an interesting point/question, should your refund be based on whether you enjoy the game or not or does it make sense to compensate the game devs a bit as well for their development time and costs.  

 

[FPSwithaWacomTablet]

Steam much?

[PlayStation 2]

1 minute ago, FPSwithaWacomTablet said:

Steam much?

It took Valve 12 years to implement their broken ass refund system.

It took Microsoft about three and a half in this case.

 

As long as it works here, I'm alright with it.

[WMGroomAK]

Just now, FPSwithaWacomTablet said:

Steam much?

Exactly, I'm hoping Microsoft is realizing their Windows 10 Store/Game Library is really not used and are trying to come up with a better way to get more of a user base so that it builds the library more...

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, FPSwithaWacomTablet said:

Steam much?

What's your point? 

[FPSwithaWacomTablet]

Just now, AUniqueName said:

What's your point? 

A 10-second comment

[Doobeedoo]

Good, refunds should be an option in general. Though of course always better not to pre-order now days.

[Delicieuxz]

10 hours ago, Dan Castellaneta said:

It took Valve 12 years to implement their broken ass refund system.

It took Microsoft about three and a half in this case.

 

As long as it works here, I'm alright with it.

GFWL launched in, I think, 2007 (or 2009?). So, that's 10 years (or 8?) that it took Microsoft - not 3.5. And they implemented this far later than Steam.

[AlTech]

8 hours ago, WMGroomAK said:

Exactly, I'm hoping Microsoft is realizing their Windows 10 Store/Game Library is really not used and are trying to come up with a better way to get more of a user base so that it builds the library more...

You'd be surprised. 

 

It's used more than you think.

 

6 hours ago, huilun02 said:

On Windows there's nothing to refund...

The OP meant on the Windows Store.

 

There are plenty of games you might want to refund on the Windows Store if you were unfortunate enough to buy some like the Call Of Duty: Infinite Warfare.

[ARikozuM]

The only game that I didn't enjoy from the Windows Store was Quantum Break. At least there are no horrifyingly bad indies on the Windows Store...

Spoiler

Never mind, Candy Crush.

 

[Orangeator]

1 hour ago, ARikozuM said:

Never mind, Candy Crush.

Wait I thought Candy Crush was a free game? Lol, if you can't tell I have never played it before.

[ARikozuM]

17 minutes ago, Orangeator said:

Wait I thought Candy Crush was a free game? Lol, if you can't tell I have never played it before.

Is it? I haven't either. I keep seeing it as a suggestion.

[AlTech]

7 hours ago, ARikozuM said:

Is it? I haven't either. I keep seeing it as a suggestion.

It's what I like to call a "Free To Pay" game.

[sof006]

This is great news, similar (if not the same) refund system as steam. Taking a page out of steams book. Microsoft are slowly but surely listening and improving, this is good to see.

[LAwLz]

I won't use the cancer that is the Windows store, but this is nice. More digital stores should implement things like this. 

[AlTech]

1 hour ago, LAwLz said:

I won't use the cancer that is the Windows store, but this is nice. More digital stores should implement things like this. 

This affects more than just the Windows Store you're used to or know.

 

Xbox Games will also have refunds because of this.

 

[3DOSH]

Well at least now you can buy UMP game without worrying about it being shit port if you decide to not read reviews for some reason.

[WMGroomAK]

Just as an FYI... I've edited the post to add in the following response to the program listed on WCCF Tech.

 

Quote

EDIT:  To expand onto this a little bit further, I guess the program can't please everyone, especially some of the smaller Game Dev companies...  According to a WCCFTech article (so of course grains of salt may apply) the group at The Chinese Room (Dear Esther, Amnesia) feels that the self service refunds should not be based just on the number of hours played, but should instead operate on the games completion.
http://wccftech.com/the-chinese-room-xbox-refunds-bollocks/
 

Quote

 

About a year ago, they not-so-covertly accused CD Projekt RED of sexism in both The Witcher and the upcoming Cyberpunk 2077. Now they’ve targeted the brand new self-service refunds program that Microsoft made available to select members of the Insider program, saying that it is “bollocks” and refunds should instead operate on a percentage of the game’s completion.
 

Quote

Bit depressed about Xbox jumping on the 2hr refund BOLLOCKS ARSEHOLE WHY WHY WHY YOU FOOLS CANNOT SUSTAIN NORMAL TEMPER WTF MODERN CULTURE— The Chinese Room (@ChineseRoom) April 13, 2017

 

Quote

It's REALLY simple. Refunds should operate off a percentage of game completed. Simple, fair, representative. This 2 hour thing is just cock
— The Chinese Room (@ChineseRoom) April 13, 2017

 

This does raise an interesting point/question, should your refund be based on whether you enjoy the game or not or does it make sense to compensate the game devs a bit as well for their development time and costs.