Check a game’s Steam page for a free demo first. If there isn’t one—or the demo doesn’t answer your questions—you can buy the game through Steam and may qualify for its standard refund offer if you request a refund within 14 days of purchase and have played for less than two hours. These are separate options: demos are not available for every game, and refunds are subject to Steam’s policy and review.
Start with the game’s Steam page
- Open the full game’s store page and look for a demo option. Steamworks describes demos as free try-before-you-buy experiences, but developers decide whether to offer one. Some demos appear on the full game’s page; others have a separate store page. Steamworks documentation on demos
- Open the demo’s own page or description and check what it includes. Look for supported modes, features, languages, and content. A demo is a sample, not a promise that the full game will play or perform the same way throughout.
- If there is no demo, use the game’s other store-page information to decide whether to buy. Steam does not guarantee an equivalent trial when a demo is unavailable.
Understand the standard refund window
For a game or software purchase made through the Steam store, Valve’s standard refund offer generally applies when you request a refund within 14 days of purchase and have played for less than two hours. The Steam policy page was last updated April 23, 2024. Read Steam’s refund policy.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
![VALORANT USD $25 [Online Game Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41qH6rhsO-L._SL160_.jpg)
|
VALORANT USD $25 [Online Game Code] | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Visa Physical Gift Card $100 (plus $5.95 Purchase Fee) | $105.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
GameStop Physical Gift Card | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Fortnite Physical Gift Card | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Roblox Physical Gift Card | $50.00 | Buy on Amazon |
Keep both limits in view if you are using a purchase to evaluate a game: note the purchase date and monitor your Steam playtime. The offer is not a guarantee of approval. Steam says you can still submit a request outside the ordinary time or playtime conditions, but it will review it rather than promise a refund.
Account for Early Access and preorders
Early Access and Advance Access
Playtime in Early Access or Advance Access counts toward the two-hour limit immediately, except for beta testing. The standard 14-day period for these pre-release purchases begins when the game is released.
#1 Best Overall
- UNLOCK A UNIVERSE OF EXPERIENCES and compete with a global community of millions across multiple battlefields with Riot Games
- Unlocks in-game currency that can be used to purchase in-game items
- Redeemable in VALORANT, League of Legends, Wild Rift, Teamfight Tactics, Legends of Runeterra, and 2XKO
- PC, mobile, console… it all works. Just enter your code at shop.riotgames.com/redeem and choose the game you want to use this virtual currency for
- This code is only redeemable on Riot Accounts in North America and Canada
Preorders for games not playable before release
If the title cannot be played before release, Steam says you can request a refund at any time before release. Once it releases, the standard 14-day and under-two-hour conditions apply. Steam’s policy explains pre-release timing.
Know when DLC and in-game purchases follow different rules
Downloadable content
Steam-store DLC is generally eligible for a request within 14 days if you have played the base game for less than two hours since buying the DLC and the DLC has not been consumed, modified, or transferred. Some third-party DLC is marked nonrefundable before purchase, so check its store listing.
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- Gift Cards are shipped active and ready for use.
- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- To access your card information safely, type the complete website address shown on your Gift Card (MyGift.GiftCardMall.com) directly into your browser's address bar. Don't use search engines or shortened versions of the website address, as these may lead you to fake or fraudulent sites. Do not provide any Gift Card details (example: Card Number) to someone you do not know or trust. If you believe you've reached an illegitimate website, contact cardholder service at 1-888-524-1283. Be cautious of phishing sites, there are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- To report your Lost or Stolen Physical Visa Card, call Customer Service 24/7 at 1 (888) 524-1283 to cancel your Gift Card as soon as you can. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Visa Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including online.
In-game purchases
For Valve-developed games, eligible in-game purchases may be refunded within 48 hours if the item has not been consumed, modified, or transferred. Third-party developers can opt into similar terms; Steam says it will indicate eligibility at purchase. This is not a universal 48-hour entitlement. See Steam’s terms for DLC and in-game purchases.
Request a refund through Steam Support
- Go to Steam Support’s purchase help page and sign in to the account that made the purchase.
- Select the purchase and follow the support flow to request a refund. If the purchase is not listed, check that you are signed in to the correct account.
- Choose Steam Wallet or an eligible original payment method when Steam offers the choice. Some payment methods in some countries cannot return funds to the original method.
Valve says an approved refund is issued within a week. If Steam cannot refund the original payment method, it says the full amount will be credited to the Steam Wallet. Steam Support refund instructions.
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- Redeemable at US GameStop, EB Games, Babbage's, Electronic Boutique, EBX, Planet X, and Software Etc. stores. Also redeemable online at and GameStop.com and EBGames.com.
- Over 6,100 stores located throughout the United States.
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- No returns and no refunds on gift cards.
Check who sold the game and your local protections
Steam’s refund policy does not cover purchases made outside Steam, including third-party CD keys. Contact the seller for its refund terms. Steam also notes that consumers in some jurisdictions may have additional rights for faulty games; the applicable protections depend on where you live, so check local consumer rules and Steam’s terms rather than assuming one rule applies everywhere. Steam refund policy and regional-rights information.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- An Epic Games account is required to redeem an Epic Games Store Card code
- If playing on a console platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch or Mobile) you need to link your Epic Games account to that gaming platform (one time) to redeem your gift card code
- The 16 digit code on the back of the card WILL NOT work if redeemed directly through your gaming platform (PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, etc.)
- Note: Nintendo devices do not support Fortnite Shared Wallet, so V-Bucks purchased using your account balance will not show up on your Nintendo device. However, if you purchase items in the web Item Shop — or another platform where you play Fortnite — those items will be available in your Locker across all platforms.
- Redemption: Online
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
