Valve cracks down on abandonware with shadow-dropped Steam feature
Valve has quietly introduced a feature on Steam that’s raising eyebrows among gamers and developers alike. Early Access titles that have gone months or even years without updates are now flagged, with their most recent update timelines prominently displayed beneath the ‘Early Access Game’ designation. This subtle but impactful change appears to be a move toward increasing transparency and accountability in the Early Access program.
One game caught in the spotlight is Heartbound. Players were quick to criticize the program after Steam suggested it hadn’t received updates in 13 months. The twist? Developer Pirate Software actually posted an update in January 2025—but it was tucked away in an opt-in development channel not visible to all players. This raises an important question: what types of updates does Steam expect from Early Access developers? And how can developers better communicate their progress?
Interestingly, this change is already having ripple effects. Some developers, perhaps eager to avoid the dreaded “abandonware” warning, have stepped up communication with their communities. This could push studios to adhere more strictly to roadmaps and deliver on promised goals—a clear win for players who invest their money and time in testing these evolving titles.
However, since Valve hasn’t formally announced this feature, questions remain. Is there a specific threshold for what qualifies as an “acceptable” update frequency? Will developers be penalized if they focus on backend improvements or niche community channels rather than visible updates? For now, the lack of official guidelines leaves room for speculation.
That said, this seems to be a step in the right direction. The Early Access program has long been criticized for hosting abandonware—games that developers have quietly walked away from, leaving players in the lurch. By adding this layer of accountability, Valve may be working to rebuild player trust and set clearer expectations for both developers and their communities.
What do you think? Could this be the nudge developers need to stay the course, or will it lead to more rushed updates just to meet arbitrary milestones? One thing is certain: the conversation around Early Access just got a lot more interesting.
Source(s)
