A Steam user, identified as ExplorEverythingOnce on Reddit, has reportedly received a $109 refund for Battlefield 6 after playing the game for approximately 470 hours. The refund was granted after the user contacted Steam support, citing the removal of the Rush game mode as a primary reason for their dissatisfaction. This incident highlights the discretion afforded to Valve's customer support team beyond the standard two-hour playtime refund policy.
The user detailed their experience in a Reddit thread, explaining that they informed Steam support that multiple game modes had been removed from Battlefield 6 without prior notice, nearly a year after the game's launch. They provided evidence, including the game's official website listing available modes and a community broadcast detailing changes. According to the user, the support agent acknowledged the discrepancy and approved a full refund for the "Phantom Edition" purchased at launch.
The removal of the Rush mode, a 12v12 attack-and-defend objective-based game type, was noted by players following a recent update. This mode was reportedly a significant draw for many, including the user who claimed it was the mode they had invested the most time in. Dissatisfaction was vocalized across various platforms, with some players expressing that the removal of Rush, a staple in previous Battlefield titles, significantly impacted their enjoyment of the game.
While live-service games are generally understood to evolve over time, the case of ExplorEverythingOnce suggests that substantial changes to core content can, in some instances, lead to refunds even for long-term players. This is particularly noteworthy as companies often include clauses in their terms of service to protect against such refund requests. The user's success appears to stem from a strong argument regarding the removal of a key game mode that was seemingly still advertised as available, coupled with what appears to have been a lenient customer support representative at Valve.