Valve’s digital games distribution platform, Steam, is famed for its massive discounts when its library of games goes on sale. But, the platform isn’t typically associated with free demos, which is why this latest bit of information is such a big deal.
In case you missed it, EA and Valve are making a free 90-minute trial of the Dead Space remake available on Steam.
The first game in EA’s fan-favorite survival horror trilogy recently underwent a top-to-bottom remake, much to the delight of fans. This attempt breathed new life into the classic horror experience. Now, Steam users can explore the newly redone version for a whole 90 minutes, completely free!
The “Timed Trial” feature isn’t the same as Steam’s usual refund process. Typically, Steam allows refunds after paying for a game within a certain number of hours or days. This rule applies in most cases except in certain situations like Cyberpunk 2077 and The Last of Us Part 1. But, with Timed Trial, Steam lets players experience a game for a limited period before making a final purchase.
What’s unique about the Timed Trial feature is that if you decide to buy the game after the trial, it will save your progress. That’s right, your 90-minute exploration of Dead Space won’t go to waste.
If you buy the game, you can pick up exactly where you left off.
It’s unclear if Steam will start offering this Timed Trial feature outside of Dead Space. If it becomes more popular, it will be a game-changer. This is an opportunity for users to get a feel for a game before investing their money, which is perfect at a time when games like Redfall, The Last of Us Part 1, and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, are all coming out on the PC in such broken states.
With this policy, gamers can simply move on from playing a game without worrying about a sometimes-lengthy refund process.
This timed refund policy isn’t just beneficial for gamers, but also for game developers. It’s a chance to show off their work to potential customers and get more people interested.
So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to put on your virtual boots and wield that plasma cutter to face off against the terrifying Necromorphs that populate USG Ishimura.
