Steam users grab hilarious co-op game for free using anti-indie store exploit

Steam users are grabbing a ‘Very Positive’ rated game for free using an exploit that’s harmful for indie developers.

When compared to other digital storefronts, Steam stands out as one of the most indie-friendly in the industry.

You’ll find hundreds, possibly even thousands, of games created by up-and-coming indie devs, either as 9/10 free downloads or breakout hits you can nab for less than a coffee.

One such indie game is receiving plenty of positive reviews, but players are avoiding payment by exploiting Steam’s refund policy.

Steam indie dev left heartbroken as users grab free game with controversial method

Paddle Paddle Paddle is a charming co-op game that was released on Steam last year by

Zoroarts, published by Assemble Entertainment.

Simply put, it’s a two-player title where both players guide an assortment of sea vessels through perilous waters.

Raging rapids, creepy creeks and even lava flumes make up the game's many levels.

While we haven’t tried it ourselves, the reviews suggest that it’s good fun, but very short. You can easily beat it in under two hours, which just so happens to be how much playtime is needed to successfully refund a game on Steam.

“GREAT GAME” reads one of the reviews. “Finished within 1:40 hrs (refunded)”

“This should not be possible @Steam”, replied the developer Zoroarts on X. “Would be cool if you could finally do something about your refund policy... Got dozens of reviews like that and 21% refund rate, even though the Reviews are 90% very positive...Thats over 55,000 Refunds btw…”

That’s right, some gamers are refunding a $4.99/£3.99 game as if they’re sticking it to the game industry, when in reality they’re just hurting an indie dev trying to make a living. It’s a shame, so gamers aren’t taking the same attitude with PlayStation and Xbox following their recent respective controversies.

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Some have even responded to Zoroarts’s understandable complaints and doubled down, like one review that said: “Was interested in playing this with a friend until I found out the solo dev posted a ‘pity me’ tweet on X, complaining about the 2-hour refund window and how so many people refunded this game...

“Okay, well, maybe these people refunded your game because they genuinely regretted their purchase, other than that one guy was doing it for speed-running.”

The whole situation is a mess, and it does highlight the negative effects Steam’s generous refund policy can have on smaller, shorter games.

Ideally, the refund window should vary depending on the length of the game, so bite-sized indies like this one don’t get unfairly taken advantage of.

If you do want to check out Paddle Paddle Paddle for yourself, it’s currently 40% off thanks to the Steam summer sale, which also reduced Cyberpunk 2077’s price to a record-low. Now there’s a game that deserved the mass refunds at launch…

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