Early Access Explained: Why It’s Taking Over the Gaming World

By whizzerlow Gaming News
5 December 2024 no comments

The term Early Access has now become part of the gaming industry, and many more developers and publishers are opting for this option. Let’s find out why!

Don’t miss Allkeyshop’s Advent Calendar with Fantastic Prizes to Win!

The term Early Access has now become very common in the gaming industry. Generally involving the access to a preview/alpha version of a game. Paid access, aimed at both financing and contributing to development.

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly where this practice started, but Valve popularized the idea with Steam Greenlight, later allowing Early Access on the store. And further popularized by Kickstarter campaigns. From masterpieces like Minecraft and recently Baldur’s Gate 3, to disasters like StarForge and The Day Before.

Early Access: Pros and Cons

Early Access, as mentioned earlier, has become a very common practice in the gaming industry. Initially used by small studios to fund their projects, in recent years even larger studios have started to adopt this approach.

Advantages of Early Access

One of the most evident advantages is the creative process. An active community can provide feedback to improve certain aspects of the game. While also helping fix bugs and issues during development, creating a strong bond with the community and an active user base from the get go. On top of that, players often get an earlier preview to the game and save money compared to the final price.

Disadvantages of Early Access

The main disadvantage of Early Access is the promise. Many understand that the Early Access experience won’t always be the best, with bugs, performance issues, and more. Games often undergo drastic changes during development. And there’s also the risk of investing time and money in a game that might never be released—whether due to abandoned development or a final product falling way short of the team’s initial promises.

When Early Access Makes Sense, and When It Doesn’t

That said, Early Access certainly has its appeal depending on the type of player. It makes sense to support Early Access for players who understand they’re receiving an incomplete product and are involved in the creation and feedback process. It’s also a way to support a favorite development team based on previous positive experiences.

On the other hand, Early Access is hard to recommend for those looking for a ready-to-play experience with lots of content right from the start. Similarly, for those unwilling or unable to provide feedback or report bugs. Especially for players who play multiple titles throughout the year, Early Access might not be worth considering.

Conclusion

For better or worse, Early Access is one of the options available for development teams to finance their projects. It’s also a double-edged sword that can lead to success or an irreversible failure for developers.

For players, it’s a unique chance to try a game early and be part of the development process through feedback. It’s also an opportunity to save on the final price of the game. With Allkeyshop’s news, you’ll always stay updated on the latest news and save on Early Access games.

whizzerlow

A video game enthusiast ever since I first got my hands on a Game Boy. Over the years, I've played many different games across various genres, discovering hidden gems and niche titles along the way. I'm also passionate about technology, always up-to-date with the latest news and insight in the PC and Console market. Ready to share and bring you the latest news !

MORE RELEVANT ARTICLES