On February 25, Valve updated the Steam rules regarding keys for games. Expert Simon Carless (Simon Carless) in the GameDiscoverCo newsletter spoke in detail about the changes. We have chosen the main thing.
Developers can now request only up to 5 thousand standard keys for distribution in other stores (previously the exact number was not specified). Valve is ready to discuss subsequent requests individually, but does not guarantee that it will agree to give more keys.
Valve clarified: if a developer sells keys in other stores, then his offer for Steam users should be no worse.
Valve issues a maximum of 2.5 thousand “keys for immediate access” for one game — keys that open access to the game before its release. For a large-scale beta test, it is recommended to use the Steam Playtest function.
Valve may refuse to issue keys (or even prohibit asking for them) to those who “request an extremely large number of keys without offering similar conditions to Steam customers, or are only engaged in selling keys without serving Steam users.”