What are the benefits and drawbacks of releasing an early access version of a video game?

Early access is a new trend in the gaming industry that’s had an extremely positive impact on both developers and players. In short, releasing a piece of unfinished software to the public allows devs to get player feedback earlier in the process, fix bugs faster, and increase revenue. But is it right for everyone?

What is early access?

Early access is a method of releasing a game before it’s finished, with the intention of providing a budget for development. Because there are still missing features, bugs and design decisions are subject to change. The most common form of early access is a “backer’s beta,” where anyone who donates towards the development of a game has access to an early version (usually a few months) before the finished product is released.

A more advanced form of early access has been known to be “founders’ beta.” Founders’ beta allows early access to the entirety of a game’s development process, meaning that the game’s code is made available to backers and early access users at the same time. As a result, any issues found in the game are reported internally within the team at the same time as developers worldwide have visibility into any bugs that might impact the way their software runs.

What are the benefits of releasing an early version of a game?

• Steadier revenue – Early access releases allow for a more consistent flow of revenue since all sales are counted towards the full game’s revenue.
• Faster development – Backers get access to the game’s development process, allowing the team to fix issues and add content much more quickly.
• Better communication – Early access means that you’re able to communicate with your audience much more frequently, addressing any questions or issues that arise.
• Better testing – A larger percentage of the public gets to try out the game and report issues. This means that the quality of the finished product will be higher, as the bugs will be caught earlier.
• More creative feedback – Early access releases can be a great way to gauge public interest in your project and gauge their interest in certain features.

But is it right for everyone?

Release an unfinished game to the public? Are you crazy? This is a terrible idea that will ruin your entire career. Let’s be real, releasing an early version of a game is like releasing a half-baked sandwich to the world.

You’re going to get a ton of criticism, and you’re going to have to fix all of those issues that have been reported by the public.

But don’t let these fears hold you back. Early access is a great way to gauge interest in your project and gauge their interest in certain features. It can also be used as a fundraiser. Make a donation button on your website and let people chip in to help you make a game.

Drawbacks of releasing an early version of a game

• Low quality – If you release an unfinished game, then you’re going to get a ton of criticism and have to fix all of those issues that have been reported by the public.
• Low revenue – If you release an unfinished game, then you’re probably not going to make any money.
• Few public testers – If you release an unfinished game, then you’re probably not going to get as much feedback from the public since there are so many more bugs to find.
• No finished product – If you release an unfinished game, then you’re not really releasing a game.

Can you make money from Early Access?

The sky is the limit with early access. There are no set rules or regulations when it comes to early access, so most developers are using this opportunity to gauge interest in their game and gauge their user base. Because the price of early access varies so widely, some developers are even making a profit of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Some popular early access games that are making money include –

• ARK: Early access starts at $25 and is now priced at $60.
• Conan Exiles: Early access was priced at $19, and the full game is now $59.
• Subnautica: Early access started at $25 and is now priced at $60.

These examples show that you don’t need to release a game to the public to make money. You just need a legitimately good game.

Conclusion

Early access games are a great way to get the public’s feedback earlier in the development process, bug-fix faster, and gauge interest in your project. But these games are not for everyone, and they do have lots of risks. Release an unfinished game to the public? Are you crazy?

This is a terrible idea that will ruin your entire career. But don’t let these fears hold you back. Early access is a great way to gauge interest in your project and gauge their interest in certain features. It can also be used as a fundraiser. Make a donation button on your website and let people chip in to help you make a game.