Valve is now calling early access to pre-ordered games Advanced Access

pcgamesinsider.biz:

PC giant Valve has come up with a new term for when consumers can play a game ahead of its release because they pre-ordered.

As spotted by PC Gamer, this is now designated Advanced Access, which is distinct from Early Access because the former is for a complete game, while the latter is for a title that is very much still in development. Previously, when gamers were able to play a game ahead of release for pre-ordering it was often dubbed "early access" which obviously clashes with Valve's own Early Access platform, causing confusion.

"Advanced Access is a feature that allows users that have pre-purchased a game to play prior to the game's official release. For example, a 'deluxe' pre-purchase version may include Advanced Access," Valve wrote.

"Unlike Early Access, Advanced Access is not a unique model of development for a game, it's simply an opportunity to play a game before it fully releases on Steam."

The company has also tweaked how refunds work on Steam every so slightly. The time that consumers spend playing a beta build of a title ahead of its release does not count to the two hour playtime limit for a refund. Valve has clarified that the time gamers spend playing an Advanced Access title ahead of release will count towards this limit.

"When you purchase a title on Steam prior to the release date, the two-hour playtime limit for refunds will apply (except for beta testing), but the 14-day period for refunds will not start until the release date," Valve wrote.

"For example, if you purchase a game that is in Early Access or Advanced Access, any playtime will count against the two-hour refund limit. If you pre-purchase a title which is not playable prior to the release date, you can request a refund at any time prior to release of that title, and the standard 14-day/two-hour refund period will apply starting on the game’s release date."