Its interesting, i was having a discussion with some friends about early access as a concept and we came to two conclusions. One that buyer beware has never been more appropriate with early access games. Two; early access can give developers insights into what their market wants as they develop their game as well as getting vital early funding to make their grander dreams a reality. I often wonder what developers might have done if they had had their success money while they were still developing...
Another interesting consequence of the early access concept; the consumers have effectively become the playtesters and to an extent the designers also.
I think early access can give developers the potential to produce a much better game for the end user, but the danger to the consumer is that you are buying a game soley on the trust that the game will live up to it's promise.
For that reason I think that reviewers should definately muscle into the early access sector - If someone has alot of games experience and some knowledge of the production process it should be easier for them to identify the diamonds in the rough, or potential wastes of money, and reviewers are in the perfect position to let these be known.
If you genuinely think that a game is perfect for you and if you want a say in it's development then get the game on early access, if not - there's no real harm in this business strategy for the customer that bides their time and buys the completed game.
Jim this is for you specifically;
Watch the development of 'Underrail' and 'DayZ' on steam - through the community hubs of these particular titles you can really see how early access can help developers to deliver a better game to their consumer base...
Another interesting consequence of the early access concept; the consumers have effectively become the playtesters and to an extent the designers also.
I think early access can give developers the potential to produce a much better game for the end user, but the danger to the consumer is that you are buying a game soley on the trust that the game will live up to it's promise.
For that reason I think that reviewers should definately muscle into the early access sector - If someone has alot of games experience and some knowledge of the production process it should be easier for them to identify the diamonds in the rough, or potential wastes of money, and reviewers are in the perfect position to let these be known.
If you genuinely think that a game is perfect for you and if you want a say in it's development then get the game on early access, if not - there's no real harm in this business strategy for the customer that bides their time and buys the completed game.
Jim this is for you specifically;
Watch the development of 'Underrail' and 'DayZ' on steam - through the community hubs of these particular titles you can really see how early access can help developers to deliver a better game to their consumer base...