The refund better not be in the form of Steam Credit. I pre-ordered the game through Impulse specifically to avoid Steam... and now look where that's got me. Broken game, and a potentially hacked account on Steam.
You do understand that Paradox does not get to decide how the money is given out right? the distributors decide that, you know the ones you gave money too. Paradox made sure you got a refund in the first place.
I've also now had confirmation from Steam that I will be getting a refund to be Steam Wallet as a one time goodwill gesture I'm pretty sure Steam will credit this pretty quickly and may be a faster route than waiting for Paradox to sort everything out.
If you live in the UK this is the email I sent to Steam support...
I would like to get a refund for the game Sword of the Stars 2. It has been widely documented that in its current state it is unplayable. The developers and publishers have both openly recognised this fact and have offered refunds to those who want them.
Although they have said that they will continue supporting and patching the game until it is playable I do not feel that I believe them or wish to wait an unspecified amount of time before playing a game that I have already paid for.
It is also obvious that the product is not satisfactory and is not fit for purpose.These two failures mean the product is in breach of the Sale of Goods Act 1979
I do not mind if the refund is direct to my card or offered as credit in the steam store.
I am sure Steam/Valve is aware of the issues surrounding this game and will expidite the refund process.
and this is their reply...
Thank you for contacting Steam Support.
As with most software products, we do not offer refunds or exchanges on games, DLC or in-game items purchased on our website or through the Steam Client.
As a one-time customer service gesture we can issue you store credit for the amount of your purchase into your Steam Wallet. The credit will also remove the title or item from your account.
Please confirm that you would like us to proceed with this credit.
For me, credit into the Steam Wallet is acceptable but I know that for other people this might not be acceptable so your fight may be more difficult.
So, instead of waiting a week or so to get the refund from paradox, you used your one-time-only refund from steam for a game you were going to get a refund for anyways? How does this make any sense?
I'm pretty sure "one-time customer service gesture" is not meant to be taken literally. It's probably meant as "we can make an exception in this case for you, but we don't normally do this.
So one time.
No, it just means that it's nothing anyone can demand on only because it was done before. I've gotten a couple refunds from Steam in the past (read: more than one), but I also have left quite a bit of money there over the years, which may or may not factor in.
Reward those who help in the "paid Beta" with a discounted price on the final release, say only $20 for the release ($40 total), versus $60 for the release price (and don't be afraid to charge $60 for the full release price).
Has anyone who purchased through GamersGate received any form of refund as yet ?
It is now almost a week since I received this email from Paradox (and two weeks since Paradox offered and I requested a refund)
Michael, Nov-06 15:29 (CET):
Hello ****
I have recieved and confirmed the information that we need to be able to give you your refund. We will start the process first thing tomorrow to make sure that this matter is solved as soon and swiftly as possible.
Again we are terribly sorry for the inconvenience this issue has caused you.
Kind Regards,
Michael
Still no sign of a refund however.
Same form email, same lack of any update or action so far.