Steam Now Issues Warnings About Certain Early Access Games

Steam is now warning players about early access games if they haven’t received any recent updates. Early access is a controversial topic in the gaming community, with proponents citing how it helps ensure indie titles with fewer resources eventually meet player expectations, but critics pointing out how many games never make it to a full release. Valve is well aware of this controversy, so now Steam users can get more clarity on early access games before deciding to try them out.

Transparency has seemingly been a priority for Valve in recent months. In late 2024, Steam began requiring disclosures about season passes, making studios list everything the bundle includes as well as expected release dates for each DLC. The platform had already issued statements about early access games, informing players of their incomplete status and potential to change, and now it’s taking these warnings to new heights.

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These Steam early access games offer the best, most fleshed out experiences, allowing players a chance to get in early and shape further development.

Users have noticed a new statement on early access titles that haven’t received any updates in at least 12 months. The note, which falls under the normal early access statement, informs players of how long it’s been since the latest update and lists what the game’s developers have said about it if such information is available. Considering instances like how Deadside took over four years to leave early access, it’s easy to see the need for this kind of transparency. Early access games going without updates or never getting a full release are all too common, but some titles simply take a long time to make, so it’s useful to have more clarity on the matter.

Steam Now Warns Users When Early Access Titles Go Months Without Updates

The inclusion of notes from the developer gives studios a chance to explain why updates are taking a while before users assume the game may be stuck in development hell. There are plenty of legitimate reasons why a title may go months without improvements. Earlier this year, Fortune’s Run had to pause development while its sole developer served a prison sentence, which would make it impossible to roll out updates within the 12-month period. At the same time, some titles simply die out and devs quietly quit the project, so the warning about a delay in updates can help some players who’d rather not risk it steer clear if necessary.

Improving transparency around early access should benefit both devs and players in the long run. Going long periods without a full release or even a patch can be frustrating, but many early access Steam titles have eventually launched to great acclaim, so a long development time does not always spell the end. These new notes don’t resolve all the controversy around the early access model, but they do bring needed visibility to the platform.

Steam

Brand

Valve

Original Release Date

September 12, 2003

Original MSRP (USD)

N/A

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