Game news Hades 2, Baldur’s Gate 3, Palworld… are early access a good thing for the future of video games?
Published on 05/25/2024 at 12:00
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Early access is a growing trend in the video game industry, bringing both significant benefits and significant challenges. But, what are the positive impacts and risks of this practice for players and developers? We talk about it in our JV Debate!
One of the best things to happen to some games is the rise of early access. This practice, adopted by titles such as the Hades saga, Baldur’s Gate 3 or No Rest for the Wicked, allows developers to share their work in progress with players well before the official release. But is this really a good thing for the industry? We discuss it in our JV Debate!
The financial benefits of early access for developers
Early access provides a crucial financial advantage for video game developers. By offering a playable title before its official release, this method makes it possible to generate revenue from the early stages of development. Players can thus enjoy the available content while following developments in the game, which creates an engaged and patient community.
For development studios, especially independent ones, this continuous Source of funding is essential. Money raised from Early Access sales helps cover ongoing costs, invest in improvements, and maintain financial stability until the game’s official release. In addition, this practice offers increased visibility to small projects which, without this help and the commitment of players, would have difficulty breaking through in a saturated market. Early access thus becomes a vital launching platform, allowing innovative ideas to come to fruition and find their audience.
The risks and abuses of early access
However, early access is not without its criticisms and risks. This method of development and marketing also has drawbacks that can make this trend problematic. For many games, this method has proven to be extremely beneficial. However, this is perhaps a false good idea, a way of consuming which is not necessarily healthy. While a few years ago, this type of proposal was in the minority, more and more games (often independent) are leaning towards this solution. On Steam DB, in 2015, 3% (more than 2,000 games released overall) of the titles listed were in early access, compared to 13% in 2023 (more than 16,000 games released overall)!
One of the most recurring criticisms concerns the potential abandonment of projects. When games are released into early access, it sometimes happens that, faced with a lukewarm reception or disappointing sales, the developers stop working on the project. Players, who supported the game by purchasing it from its earliest stages, then find themselves with an unfinished product and, often, without prospect of updating or finalization. This situation can generate considerable frustration within the gaming community and tarnish the reputation of the studio. To find out more, don’t hesitate to watch our JV Debate!
