Though the indie game Before Your Eyes has seen excellent reception since its release a few days ago, one reviewer got the game refunded and pointed out its short length while also saying that the "story and concept is amazing." In response, one developer from GoodbyeWorld Games says that short games shouldn't be refundable on Steam after delivering a great experience.
The ratio of a game's playtime to price has been a problem in the industry, but a recent article from PC Gamer shows that the controversy is far from over. The journal posted an article posing the question, "Are indie games too cheap?" This incited a wide array of responses. Most game developers responded with a nay, reasoning that the amount of work a development studio or even a single person puts into their game can be both time and financially costly. Many others, on the other hand, said that indie games are often too expensive for their length.
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When it comes to indie games, the price point often directly influences player reviews. One developer behind Before Your Eyes took to Twitter to voice their concerns about one user enjoying and completing the game, then being issued a refund by Steam.
The indie title Before Your Eyes, an emotional story that uses blink detection to progress its tale, released on April 8 to highly positive reception. Many reviewers on Steam point out how the game made them cry, noting that Before Your Eyes is exceptional at evoking emotional responses just as the developers had designed. But the above review points out that the game is a short hour and a half in length. The review itself is marked as "Product refunded," despite the user saying how amazing the story and concept are.
This review points out the detriment behind Steam's refund policy. Upon issuing a request, Valve will refund any title that has been purchased within 14 days and played for less than 2 hours. For context, Before Your Eyes is $9.99, which a few reviewers feel is too expensive considering its short length. But this policy allows users to finish the entire game and even enjoy it, then ask for a refund afterward.
This policy affects other indie games similarly and can hurt the development studios, which are often pricing their games properly to accommodate the labor and time needed to complete them. This is especially true in regards to Before Your Eyes, which uses webcam technology to detect players' blinks and drive the story.
Others respond to the tweet with similar reactions. One points out that players shouldn't be able to refund a game they've completed, while also saying that they would take a "short evocative experience" over games that take over 50 hours to complete.
Still, many other reviews don't seem to mind that the game is too short for its price as they don't comment on it, but rather only point out the beautiful experience Before Your Eyes gave them. One Twitter user even states that they're excited to finish an emotional experience in one sitting.
Before Your Eyes is out now for Steam.
MORE: Before Your Eyes Devs Talk Using Blink Detection to Tell a New Kind of Story
Source: PC Gamer