The problem with that is those kinds of system checks are not very accurate - look at canyourunit.com for example. You can get negative results even when your system runs the game perfectly fine and positive results when your system won't run it at all.

The Xcom issue was your own fault for not checking, though if you contact support they MIGHT help you out as a "one off customer service gesture".

Section 8 does run on Windows XP so whatever is causing it to not launch may be fixable. GFWL is a common culprit.

Also, buyers remorse would be a terrible reason for a refund. In 14 days someone could easily complete the game then ask for a refund "because the game was terrible and not worth the money". It is up to the buyer to do some research before buying.

As Monkeyseeker says, game compatility is not a black&white matter.
'Unsupported' OSs may run the game just fine. And supported hardware can give issues based on a high number of factors. (Even PEBKAC errors, out of the reach of any verification system)

Originally posted by Duro Vic:

there really should be some type of temp return policy for this. anything less is just taking advantage of your user base. allow people to try it out on their systems for a few days and if they cant get it going, then give their cash back. otherwise youre plain and simple as day just being nothing more then hardballing dealers of digital software.

Even retail handles software/video games the way steam does. Been like this for a long time.

You also have a bunch of other factors with CD keys. Imagine someone buying bad company 2, they try to play some multiplayer right away. Well you have to register your key with EA first before you can. Returning a product after that point is terrible and a huge mess. They cant resell it after that anyway.

When it comes to software and games its up to the consumer to make sure they can use it. Once its been opened, you cant return it. The suggestion of letting someone try it for a few days wouldnt work aswell. "Oh boy im gonna try it this game! Beat it/Hate it/whatever. Gonna return it now." Doesnt work.

This is why there are system requirements posted for every game. It dies not make sense to create policies to cater to people that don't want to read them.

Half-Life(thefirste's) store page still does not have a hard drive size(we all know its reasonably small). The "you are about to download" size is different from the properties panel after download, which is different from how big it is examining the size directly through windows explorer. Left4Dead2 had 8GB for the longest time even though it was 13GB(including the free automatic DLC). Glad to see someone fixed that.
Also, Doom3's store page demands Windows2000/XP (says Vista/7 not supported). Steam itself yells at me (a dialog, but then works normally) if I use that OS. Whomever is in charge of getting the correct info onto the store pages needs a little nudge... B^)
(By the way, all these play fine on Vista)
If you guys(Valve) find a game to fail stated minimum requirements are you allowed to talk with the publisher/devloper and fix it? I used to play TF2 on my NT4 machine (when it was new) and quite a few improvements have been made, yet to the best of my recollection it seems to be the original stated requirements.

Originally posted by Duro Vic:

but id look into something called a, "charge-back" to reclaim lost money from your credit card company. chargebacks are NOT good to do, but talk with your card issuer to find out more.

If you issue a chargeback on Steam, you get a one way ticket to account lockdown (No purchase, no trade, no activating games) Doing that it's a really bad idea.

Besides, people who genuinely purchase games not working for their machines are just a bare minimum of Steam total customer base. (Not to mention how easily people claim games 'not working' on their machines...)
If Steam were really such a scam as some people claim, it would be busted long time ago.

personally I think a hard no refund policy is not technically legal, consumer law requires especially for internet purchases the right to return without questions asked however that is for packaged goods not digital I think. But if eg you buy a game of steam and its buggy, under uk consumer law you have the right to ask for a full refund but this conflicts with steam policy.

If you still have XP its a perfect time to go out and buy Windows 8 for $40. Despite all of the BS speculation about it, its a solid OS. If you Start > Type > Enter to launch apps or just the desktop/task bar you wont even realize your running W8.

Originally posted by chrcoluk:

personally I think a hard no refund policy is not technically legal, consumer law requires especially for internet purchases the right to return without questions asked however that is for packaged goods not digital I think. But if eg you buy a game of steam and its buggy, under uk consumer law you have the right to ask for a full refund but this conflicts with steam policy.

It's perfectly legal. The SSA explicitly defines the refund policy with regard to the UK and EU regulations. If you can see the game in your library your right to refusal expires. You explicitly agree to this before every purchase.