Valve recently updated its Steam subscription agreement, specifically how it will handle “any disputes between Valve and Steam users.”
For his blogthe new SSA eliminates the requirement for disputes to submit to individual arbitration. Instead, if an issue cannot be resolved through Steam Support, it will be taken to court.
This updated agreement will go into effect once users agree, and some have already started receiving requests. It will become the default starting November 1st.
“You and Valve agree that this Agreement shall be deemed to be entered into and performed in the State of Washington, USA…” it reads Section 10. “If the laws where you live require alternative dispute resolution options, you may seek relief under those options.”
“In the event of a dispute relating to the interpretation, execution or validity of the Subscription Agreement, an amicable solution may be sought before any legal action.”
This change primarily affects US Steam users. Valve said there would be “limited impact” for those in the EU and the UK, Quebec, New Zealand and Australia, as those regions are already exempt from its arbitration rules.
Additionally, Valve will eliminate the class action waiver and cost of commission shifting provisions in previous versions of the SSA.
Changes to the Steam platform
The changes to the SSA and arbitration rules mark Valve's latest update to the platform. Over the summer, it made a number of front-end and back-end updates, including refinements store page descriptions AND related games on those pages.
One of the most significant changes occurred in July with social media connection. In light of recent “major” API updates for several social media platforms like X (née Twitter), the process of linking Steam accounts has been simplified for developers.
You can read the complete and updated SSA Here.