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Steam closes an early-access loophole in its refund policy
Valve has closed a loophole in its refund policy that let users play many hours of a game before its official release and still get their money back.
All-time dumpster fire The Day Before shuts down 46 days after launch
The Day Before is no more. The spectacular trainwreck of a game, which saw developer Fntastic announcing its closure only four days after launch, closed its servers for good on Monday, reports IGN.
Paradox Interactive will refund physical pre-orders for ‘Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2’
Paradox Interactive announced today that it will refund all physical pre-orders for Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2. The long-delayed sequel to the 2004 cult classic was last available for pre-sales in early 2021. That was when Paradox announced it was parting ways with developer Hardsuit Labs and pushing back the title’s release date indefinitely. However, there may be a glimmer of hope for holdouts as the publisher teased more news in September about the vampire game.
Ubisoft explains how Stadia users can get free PC copies of games
Ubisoft details what to do if you bought the Stadia versions of its games.
Google begins refunding Stadia hardware purchases made on the Google Store
Anyone who bought Stadia hardware from the Google Store should soon see refunds show up on their original payment.
Airbnb will stop offering refunds when a host or guest contracts COVID-19
An updated extenuating circumstances policy will apply to bookings made on or after May 31st.
What the hell is going on with Cyberpunk 2077?
This is what it took to make Sony delete the biggest launch of the decade.
Microsoft expands Xbox ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ refund policy
If you bought the game digitally from the Microsoft Store, you can get your money back.
Epic Games Store's self-serve refunds get your money back without the wait
You can now handle refunds yourself on the Epic Games Store, provided you haven't played a game for a while.
Epic will cover refunds for unhappy 'Shenmue 3' backers
You might be less inclined to panic the next time a game you've crowdfunded becomes an Epic Games Store exclusive -- particularly if you're a Shenmue fan. Ys Net has informed Shenmue 3 backers that it will (with Epic's financial support) accept refund requests from those unhappy that the PC version won't be available through Steam until a year after its initial release. How much you'll get back will depend on whether or not your rewards have already been implemented, but you won't have choose a PS4 copy just to signal your displeasure.
Inboard's electric scooters will only be available for shared fleets
Last fall, electric skateboard startup Inboard Technology announced plans for its first electric scooter. Dubbed the Glider, consumers could pre-order the device with a $349 deposit placed toward the $1,299 price tag. Now, according to The Verge, Inboard is backing off of plans for a consumer version of the Glider and is refunding the 1,500 people who put down deposits on the new ride. Instead, Inboard plans to focus on making electric scooters for shared fleets.
PlayStation Store will give refunds on pre-orders to US customers
Sony updated its refund policy for pre-orders and faulty content purchased on the PlayStation Store to make things a bit more lenient for users. The new rules issued on Monday gives users who pre-ordered digital content the option to request a refund. According to the revised policy, if you pre-order a game more than 14 days before its release date, you have up until the date of its release to ask for a refund. If you pre-order a game fewer than 14 days before its release, you have up to two weeks after its launch to request your money back.
Activision offers 'Guitar Hero Live' refunds after songs vanish
Activision appears to be learning a hard lesson about the risks of tying a music game to a subscription service. The publisher has launched a "voluntary refund program" for Americans who can prove they bought Guitar Hero Live between December 1st, 2017 and January 1st, 2019. You can make a claim until May 1st, 2019. While Activision didn't say why it was offering refunds, it's likely tied to the end of the game's Guitar Hero TV streaming music service. The company shut down GHL's streaming component at the end of 2018, shrinking the song library from 484 songs to the 42 tracks on the disc -- you suddenly weren't getting what you paid for.
Epic's updated game store refund policy matches Steam
The Epic Games Store wasn't all that refund-friendly on launch. You could only ask for two refunds in an entire year (albeit after unlimited hours of play), and you had to submit details like your IP address in a support ticket to have a hope of getting your money back. It should be easier from now on, at least. According to Epic's Sergey Galyonkin, the company has updated its refund policy to allow unlimited refunds as long as they're within 14 days of purchase and with less than two hours of play time. You still have to submit a support request for now (there's a "self-service" option coming), but you no longer have to provide a bevy of information so long as the refund meets the criteria.
Tesla has reportedly refunded nearly a quarter of US Model 3 pre-orders
Tesla raked in hundreds of thousands of pre-orders for its Model 3 after it unveiled the vehicle in 2016, but a report from analytics firm Second Measure shows that a good chunk of US pre-orders have since been refunded. As of April, the company's analysis shows that 23 percent of those who placed a pre-order in the US have had their $1,000 deposit refunded. A Tesla spokesperson told Recode that Second Measure's findings didn't match the automaker's own numbers, but declined to say by how much they were off. However, last August, Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced that 12 percent of reservations had been cancelled at the time -- data that aligned with Second Measure's analysis.
Apple offers $50 credit if you paid for a new iPhone battery last year
After admitting that it was sometimes slowing processor speeds on older iPhones, Apple discounted its out-of-warranty battery replacement from $50 to $30 starting at the tail end of last year. But for anyone who bought one at any point in 2017 for iPhone 6 or later devices, the tech giant is offering a $50 credit.
Valve loses appeal over Steam refund policy in Australia
Valve will have to pay the piper over its former Steam refund policy. Australia's Full Court of the Federal Court has dismissed Valve's appeals of a ruling and accompanying fine (worth $2.2 million US) over its allegedly misleading Steam customer guarantees. As the company conducts business in Australia, the country's Competition and Consumer Commission said, it's beholden to national consumer protection laws -- and that means getting your money back if a game's quality isn't up to snuff.
Amazon offers refunds for dodgy solar eclipse glasses
Did you buy a low-cost pair of eclipse glasses hoping to watch the August 21st solar eclipse without spending a fortune? Amazon might be reaching out to you. The company has confirmed a recent Verge report that it's "proactively" refunding purchases of eclipse glasses that might not meet the ISO 12312-2 safety standards needed to protect your eyes. It also appears to be pulling product listings for those glasses to be on the safe side.
FAA offers registration refunds for casual drone pilots
Remember when you had to register your drone, regardless of whether it was hulking thousand-dollar pro model, or some cheap toy off Amazon? Then, remember when the FAA then realised it violated its own rules? Well, that decision in the US Court of Appeals means that the ever-growing drone pilots of America can now apply for a refund if they had previously registered their flying 'bot.
Your kid's 'accidental' Amazon app spending will be refunded soon
It's finally time to put a bow on Amazon's case with the Federal Trade Commission. In 2014, the online shopping juggernaut cam under fire for not fully warning parents that free apps could still contain in-app purchases. Last year a federal judge ruled that Amazon didn't do enough to inform folks of such (or offer safeguards/speed bumps ahead of finalizing a purchase). That changes today as the FTC has ruled to end the lawsuit. This move means that the refund process for some $70 million in eligible purchases made between November 2011 and May 2016 can begin. Said refunds will be via method of purchase, not gift cards.
