Steam User Reviews Will No Longer Count if User Didn’t Pay For a Copy

Reviews on Steam games have been a topic of debate as far as authenticity goes because anyone can write them. Anyone including those who were gifted the game in question, either by a friend or the developers themselves. This will now be changing.

In a perhaps controversial move, Valve has introduced some changes to the Steam Review system. Review scores will no longer include reviews made by those who got the game for free through a gift, promo codes, or during a free weekend. The review will still be visible and can be viewed by anyone, but the score will not add to the game's overall congregate score.

Valve has explained that the changes have already rolled out and it should take a few days to process, so existing scores for games may change as well.

According to Valve, these changes were made to "better reflect the sentiment expressed by invested, paying customers." This eliminates reviews enticed by a free copy of the game, be it from nefarious intent or from legitimate game reviewers who also happened to get it for free.

The Steam Review system was originally intended to be a collection of user reviews from the community. A true look at the overall opinion of a game instead of an influenced number from those who may not take price into consideration because they were given it for free.

Do you like these changes? Will the Steam Review process reflect more accurately with this new system?

[Via VG247]