Can steam just restrict early access.

[Bancode[0]]

It should not be the excuse for selling incomplete, even functionally incomplete games. Some game producers only update game producing reports instead of update game patch for months.

I think it would be better to have a time limit for early access or longer refundable duration.

[Start_Running]

Originally posted by Bancode0:

It should not be the excuse for selling incomplete, even functionally incomplete games. Some game producers only update game producing reports instead of update game patch for months.

How about you just not buy them?

I think it would be better to have a time limit for early access or longer refundable duration.

Which would essentiallybe meaningless since a developer can slap v1.0 on literally any version they choose regardless of the state of the game.

[Nx Machina]

It is very clear what Early Access is.

Get instant access and start playing; get involved with this game as it DEVELOPS.

NOTE: This Early Access game is NOT COMPLETE AND MAY OR MAY NOT CHANGE FURTHER.

If you are NOT excited to play this game in its CURRENT STATE , then you should WAIT to see if the game PROGRESSES FURTHER in development.

[Chill-Out-Zone]

There's some games been taken down in early access by steam.

[eram]

they should make users click confirm ive read the early access message before posting.

[Gus the Crocodile]

Originally posted by Bancode0:

It should not be the excuse for selling incomplete, even functionally incomplete games.

Huh? Isn’t that quite specifically what it exists for? What else would be the point of it?

[Start_Running]

Originally posted by Chill-Out-Zone:

There's some games been taken down in early access by steam.

Yup. Because the dev/pub broke their contractr, or tried to rope STweam into legal battles.

[ElvisDeadly]

There is a big disclaimer on the store page of every Early Access game,

Note: This Early Access game is not complete and may or may not change further. If you are not excited to play this game in its current state, then you should wait to see if the game progresses further in development

And always remember - YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY THEM.

[Lily McFluffy Butt]

They tell you exactly what they are. If you buy an early access game then complain it's not finished or getting updates, that's entirely on you.

Seriously, do people think early access means you get a full game early or something?

[Satoru]

You can just not buy them. Problem solved

[Mastian]

When will these posts stop? It's always the same. Just don't buy game in early access, isn't there even an option to filter them out?

[Crazy Tiger]

Originally posted by Bancode0:

It should not be the excuse for selling incomplete, even functionally incomplete games.

Except that it's not an excuse, but the purpose of Early Access.

Originally posted by Bancode0:

Some game producers only update game producing reports instead of update game patch for months.

Game developers are free to work on their game as they want to. And they can run into issues that slow down development. That's always been part of game development, it's just that Early Access finally shows that process to you.

Originally posted by Bancode0:

I think it would be better to have a time limit for early access or longer refundable duration.

Valfe is a master in not actually following their own time limits, hence why "Valve time" became a phenomenon. It would be quite hypocritical of them to set time limits for other developers. Besides, Valve as a store has no say in how game developers work on their games and what challenges they run into.

Refunds are fine as they are. You buy a product as-is, hence why the refund is for the product as-is. People seem to forget that the "promise" of a finished game is not included in the sale, so even if there is no development at all anymore, the product you bought is fully according to what was advertised.

[76561198407601200]

Originally posted by Bancode0:

It should not be the excuse for selling incomplete, even functionally incomplete games. Some game producers only update game producing reports instead of update game patch for months.

I think it would be better to have a time limit for early access or longer refundable duration.

As per the large message on each early access game

Early Access Game
Get instant access and start playing; get involved with this game as it develops.
Note: This Early Access game is not complete and may or may not change further. If you are not excited to play this game in its current state, then you should wait to see if the game progresses further in development. Learn more

WHAT THE DEVELOPERS HAVE TO SAY:
Why Early Access?
“To allow players to suggest improvements and be involved in the game development, in order to achieve the best possible finish.”
Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?
“The final version is scheduled for the end of 2021, depending on the players’ feedbacks and their additional content proposals.”
How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?
“We plan to include several additional maps and entities, as well as other types of player interactions.”
What is the current state of the Early Access version?
“The game is in alpha, we have most of the equipment for ghost hunting and planned features. There are 3 maps as well as 5 entity categories that serve as the design of the procedural ghost generator.”
Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?
“The price will increase as updates are made, as more features and maps are added, until the final release.”
How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?
“Via Discord community and social networks where we will be active to answer questions and inform the community about updates to come.”

Do try reading prior to purchasing.

[Serendipity]

Originally posted by Bancode0:

It should not be the excuse for selling incomplete, even functionally incomplete games. Some game producers only update game producing reports instead of update game patch for months.

I think it would be better to have a time limit for early access or longer refundable duration.

Absolutely agree with you, I have let my thoughts on this be known before so I will not repeat.

Watch out for the fan-boys, they do bite.

[Edifier]

Originally posted by Bancode0:

It should not be the excuse for selling incomplete, even functionally incomplete games. Some game producers only update game producing reports instead of update game patch for months.

I think it would be better to have a time limit for early access or longer refundable duration.

A timer will just make them release an unfinished game without there being a warning on the store page anymore.

How would that help you?

Originally posted by susanmel:

Absolutely agree with you, I have let my thoughts on this be known before so I will not repeat.

Watch out for the fan-boys, they do bite.

People are not fan boys because they think it's better to a big warning on the store page that the game is unfinished than it being released in unfinished stage and you have to find out the normal way.

[ShelLuser]

Originally posted by Bancode0:

I think it would be better to have a time limit for early access or longer refundable duration.

Dumb suggestion in my opinion. Because if they'd do something like that then you know that some developers will simply slap on a "v1.0" label onto their project and continue as if nothing happened. Or... they remove said game and re-launch it as early access, who knows.

There's nothing wrong with early access games in the current situation, the only caveat here is that users need to be a little smarter than usual and actually use common sense to determine if such a game is for them or not. When in doubt, ignore. That's my motto.

I have a few games which started out as EA, stayed EA for several years and really managed to come around. My favorite example being Empyrion - Galactic survival (awesome game IMO).