New Guidelines for Developers Selling Season Passes on Steam: What You Need to Know

New guidelines have been created for developers regarding the use of Steam to advertise their games’ season passes. In its announcement, Valve holds studios accountable for postponing post-launch content and recognized that offering a season pass represents “exciting future content.” Developers will be required to commit to a release schedule for each content update in the Season Pass, [which is] a promise to both players and Steam.”

“If you aren’t ready to clearly define the content included in each DLC and the anticipated release timeline,” it continued, “you should not offer a Season Pass.”

These updates primarily focus on season passes specifically: in its FAQ, Valve clarified how a battle pass could be “similar, yet distinct: an in-game character or skin is pre-defined and becomes unlockable at certain gameplay milestones, typically based on a player’s progress. In this context, Valve describes a season pass as developers deciding “when the content is available to [players], and that release is not determined by gameplay milestones.”

Thus, an Apex Legends or Diablo IV battle pass is exempt from this, however a season pass for Borderlands 3? That needs to adhere to Valve’s regulations.

As part of the new rules, season pass listings must now include a comprehensive list of what will be included, a clear description of each DLC, and the expected release date for every piece of content. Whether the date is specific or somewhat vague (“Winter 2025” or “January 2025,” for instance), Valve stated that the listing must include some form of time frame—and in the event of a delay, developers can push back the season pass date by up to three months, but only once.

Valve cautioned that if the release date is missed, and it was not directly communicated regarding a delay longer than three months in advance, this may result in the season pass being removed from Steam and issuing refunds to players for that specific DLC or the entire pass. Refunds can be processed if a DLC within that season pass is ultimately canceled.

Additionally, season passes for already-released titles must include at least one DLC that is currently available when the pass is offered for purchase. Exceptions apply in the case of pre-ordering a game’s deluxe edition.

Further information on Steam’s updated season pass guidelines, including setting up a season pass on the storefront, can be found here.

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