Valve has rolled out new rules for Season Passes sold on Steam, aiming to provide consumers with clearer information about what they’re purchasing and when to expect the content.
Under the new guidelines, Season Passes are treated as a form of DLC pre-purchase, requiring developers to list all the included content and provide clear descriptions of what the pass offers. While spoilers aren’t necessary, developers must offer sufficient detail, such as “three new weapons and two new enemies,” to inform buyers.
Additionally, each piece of content included in a Season Pass must have an expected release date. For a 90-day pass, for example, developers must outline when each update or feature will be delivered. If delays occur, developers can adjust the timeline once within 90 days. For longer delays, they must work directly with Valve to address the situation. These measures are designed to ensure consumers know what to expect and to minimize disruptions to the delivery schedule.
Valve also emphasizes the need for a compelling customer benefit when offering a Season Pass. According to the updated documentation, “In exchange for buying the Season Pass upfront, a customer might benefit from a lower overall price on all the content, or extra content thrown in for free.” Without such incentives, Valve suggests customers may not see value in purchasing a pass.
Another key requirement is that at least one DLC must already be available when a Season Pass goes on sale. However, exceptions exist for deluxe or premium editions of pre-ordered games that include a pass.
These guidelines aim to bring more certainty to players, especially in an industry often affected by long development cycles and unexpected delays. Time will tell how well this policy reshapes the Season Pass landscape on Steam.
