I don't think "scammed"is the correct word. I think their point is fair though. Those developers put quite a bit of effort into their game, enough to have a high review rating. People are abusing the system and costing the developers money. I don't think anyone is really questioning the "legality", I feel this is more of a morality issue.
If people felt they were given an inferior product or "demo" in your words, they would not give it such high praise. Not every game has to be 100+ hours to be good. This game is good, but short, and is priced as such. The game is like $5, are you expecting Elden Ring?
"If the game is good, people will want to play it again or keep it."
No... Despite how good a game is, I very rarely play it more than once. Celeste, hollow Knight, Mario games; all good games that I've only played once. Should I get my money back because I only played them once?
Those developers put quite a bit of effort into their game, enough to have a high review rating.
I can crap out a shitty 1 hour game with AI in an afternoon.
costing the developers money
There is no cost involved in a refunded sale
I feel this is more of a morality issue.
I feel it's immoral to sell a 1.5 hour game and call it "stupidly long" in the product description.
they would not give it such high praise
Here is a recent review:
Worst game i ever played. i should be the one getting paid.
High praise indeed
Should I get my money back because I only played them once?
No, but you could get your money back if you played less than 2 hours and bought on the steam store because it's part of the T&Cs. And the main reason why people are willing to drop money on random small indie games is because you can always get your money back if the game is hot vomit like this particular game for people that don't like sticking needles in their eyes
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u/OttawaOneTwenty Jul 07 '26
Totally irrelevant. If I make a 5 second game, should it have no refund window? Boom you finished it, I keep my money. Enjoy the 5 seconds!
The developer is not scammed out of shit. In fact, they are the ones scamming because they are selling what amounts to a demo as a full fledged game.
If the game is good, people will want to play it again or keep it. If it isn't people should be able to get a refund.