14 DAY TRIAL // Gamers have begun fearing, in recent times, two simple words: Early Access. This is largely because, at its inception, the Steam Early Access category was flooded with nonfunctional titles that barely worked, had just a sliver of content, and even some that got abandoned by their developers.
The result right now is that many gamers, rightfully so, try to avoid anything in Early Access and even pre-orders altogether of unreleased games, before seeing just how they work on their platforms.
However, this shouldn't mean that games should avoid this really interesting avenue for their release. The last several weeks saw some major titles appear as Steam Early Access, starting with Killing Floor 2 and continuing with Trine 3: Artifacts of Power or Dirt Rally.
Early Access versions can help prevent issues and problems
First up, Steam Early Access versions can help the developer expand its testing process to include all sorts of other configurations, more than what their own quality assurance department can provide. This is no excuse to release a glitch-filled game and then relax for a few months before fixing the problems.
But try to imagine the array of triple-A titles that have experienced launch-day problems. Assassin's Creed Unity, Driveclub, Halo: The Master Chief Collection. The list goes on and on, and many could have avoided their problems by organizing a small beta release to all fans.
Driveclub, for example, had a closed beta stage, but its scope was so small that developer Evolution and publisher Sony, two established companies with lots of experience, were still surprised to see that their multiplayer infrastructure was buckling under the pressure of gamers come launch day.
Early Access versions can help shape the game
What's more, besides spotting glitches and problems, fans who get the Early Access game can contribute with feedback on the actual content. Codemasters is following this route with Dirt Rally, as is Tripwire with Killing Floor 2.
Codemasters specifically got burned with Grid 2 back in 2013, and following the feedback from users who didn't like that racing game, it brought forth an all-new game, in the form of Grid Autosport, which responded exactly to that feedback.
With Dirt Rally, the studio is doing what it should've done with Grid, as it's offering one version of the game, and after feedback, it's willing to change it in all sorts of ways just to ensure that people appreciate its racing experience.
Early Access versions can help the developer
Of course, another key aspect of launching a game as Early Access is that developers start getting money in order to continue working on the title and, of course, release it as a final product. As opposed to crowdfunding an idea or just a barely functional prototype that's going to appear at some point in time (Broken Age 2, anyone?), with Early Access, fans can actually see the game in action and immediately start enjoying it.
Sure, most Early Access titles don't have lots of content, but many expand in size and scope after their initial debut, such as Broforce, which has gained all sorts of new characters, stages, mechanics, and other such things ever since it went live on Steam Early Access last year.
Overall, Steam Early Access can be one of the best things that have ever happened to the gaming industry, on condition that it's used in a fair way and not abused by developers of publishers. Provided that you have an interesting product, that it works without any serious problems, and that it's offered at a fair price for those who take a risk and buy it, Early Access can certainly benefit the developer and the player in equal measures.