Summary
Steam has started issuing automatic refunds to some of its users who pre-orderedGhost of Tsushima. The move is a response to Sony’s decision to shorten the list of markets in which it plans to sell theGhost of TsushimaPC port.
This whole ordeal started with the recentHelldivers 2drama over mandatory PlayStation Network account linking. Following significant fan backlash, Sony decided to drop the PSN account requirement for playing the PC version of the game, which it originally wanted to enforce retroactively, despite the fact thatHelldivers 2was being sold in over 100 countries not supported by its online service. But even before the company officially walked back on that decision, it had already started delistingHelldivers 2from Steam in many regions lacking PSN support, which is a process that is still ongoing as of mid-May.
Steam Auto-Refunds for Ghost of Tsushima Started on May 10
The controversy has apparently affected Sony’s future Steam publishing plans, as the Japanese gaming giant has alreadystarted delisting theGhost of TsushimaPC version in select countrieson May 10, less than a week ahead of its release, due to an identical PSN account requirement. Valve’s response to that move arrived within hours, with the company now issuing refunds to people who pre-ordered the game before the publisher decided to delist it from their country. As reported by third-party tracker SteamDB, the current wave of refunds appears to be automatic, so anyone who pre-purchased the game from a delisted country can expect to get their money back soon, if they haven’t already.
PC Gamers Unhappy With Mass Delisting of Ghost of Tsushima from Steam
Refunds or not, the move has already incurred significant criticism from fans, who were unpleasantly surprised by the fact that they wouldn’t be able to buy thelong-awaited PC version ofGhost of Tsushima. “This is one of the most anti-money moves I’ve ever seen a company make,” wrote one user on Twitter.
Hundreds of other people shared similar negative sentiments in response to the mass delisting. Twitter userKyren Crossalso bemoaned the manner in which they had received their refund, stating that they got their money back in the form of a Steam Wallet top-up instead of having it returned to their bank account, which was used for pre-ordering the game.
Game Rant’s review of public data available via the Steam API suggests thatGhost of Tsushimahas so far been delisted from 180 countries on May 10. Around that time is whenSony also delisted the Steam version ofHelldivers 2from even more marketsin yet another blow to PC gamers.
Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut
WHERE TO PLAY
In the late 13th century, the Mongol empire has laid waste to entire nations along their campaign to conquer the East. Tsushima Island is all that stands between mainland Japan and a massive Mongol invasion fleet led by the ruthless and cunning general, Khotun Khan.As the island burns in the wake of the first wave of the Mongol assault, courageous samurai warrior Jin Sakai stands resolute. As one of the last surviving members of his clan, Jin is resolved to do whatever it takes, at any cost, to protect his people and reclaim his home. He must set aside the traditions that have shaped him as a warrior to forge a new path, the path of the Ghost, and wage an unconventional war for the freedom of Tsushima.
