Why are there so many early access games that cost money?

[NotAGREEFER]

Why are early access games out that cost money?? And why does valve release so many of these in the first place? Shouldnt we be playing finished games?

[Eanraig]

Devs have been systematically releasing unfinished games since 07. The next normal step was to charge for alphas and betas.

[Hank]

I think its because it helps the game get started with people buying it and supporting it. But I do agree with you because I have bought early access games before and they went to crap over time making me regret the purchase.

[High GradeAK47]

If there is a market available, then things happen. It certianly isnt always a bad thing but I suppose you are bound to see more half finished products becase of this. Like the poster above me stated - There is nothing stopping you from only purchasing fully developed / finished games.

[Hat8]

Because people pay

[The Brown Hornet]

The second videogame crash is coming!

[tamtam]

it's because some peeps want a game in early accest and don't wanna wait for it. if the have to buy it ore not those peeps who want that game very mutch don't wait till it is free to play ore cheaper

[Laptop]

Because some developers would like some money while they develop their game.

[Ubernerd Lucas]

Here's why they're being offered:

http://store.steampowered.com/earlyaccessfaq/?snr=1_200_200_Early+Access

[SecretSign]

The reason for being able to buy early access games is mainly because it works so well for developers or developer companies. When you buy a game for early access it allows them to keep working on creating more and more content for that game. In theory the idea is good but the problem arises when you get the developers who don't follow up on that game and instead bail on it and keep the money. Secondly, I think that developers should start adding in more demo's for games even if they are in their early stages just to allow the players to actually decide whether or not they want to play the game before they buy it. That way we can decide whether or not to buy these early access games without having to actually invest any money in it or watch a trailer that may or may not be actual gameplay.

[Hibbcity]

dont give into early access. you get unfinished games way overpriced

[Pheace]

Desura did selling games in alpha for quite a while before early access. Steam just picked up on it after a while as well.

Basically there's nothing stopping you from just buying finished games if that's your main concern.

Also, if you expect to play an alpha/beta for free, don't expect to get the full game when it releases like you do when you buy early access.

[GRIMM]

1.) Several early access games have had full releases since entering EA
2.) Nobody makes you buy them
3.) If you are not buying them, why the **** should you care?
4.) If you ARE buying them and still complain, well who's fault is that?

[Ganger]

Simple anwser, don't buy early access games. Buy them when they are released.

[Peter Pan]

Originally posted by DoctorFancySir:

Why are early access games out that cost money? Why should we pay for a game that isnt even finished? And why does valve release so many of these in the first place? Shouldnt we be playing finished games?

Some people are happy to help finance a game that they feel shows promise, the kind of games that AAA companies never make anymore.

This is about choice, if people are happy to spend money on an unfinished game as a form of investment, they have every right to. And if you don't want to, you have the right not to buy those games.

What I want Steam to do is to better educate the gamers on what Early Access games are all about. Right now there is much anger because people have different expectations of them. I personally expect all Early Access games to have the same level of professionalism as Prison Architect.

The devs of Prison Architect work hard, always have an update at the end of the month, create a youtube video explaining the changes they've done, and show lots of promise. Unfortunately I can't say the same for most Early Access games, where sometimes they don't have an update or even heard from for months and months.

So what we need is just a better explanation of what you're getting if you buy Early Access games. Expect a low level of professionalism, really slow progress, amateurish development, and their ever-present irritating fanbase who think you have no right to be upset at something you paid for and that it is your fault for buying an Early Access game.

[The Longest Rose]

Prison Architect and Kerbal Space Program are examples of games that do the whole "Early Access" thing the way it was meant to be implemented. Developers are being irresponsible with the system, and that's perpetuating the stigma. It's meant to be a way to support a small developer push a game to release. Do not buy any Early Access game that doesn't have regular updates and show promise and progress.

When developers use Early Access right, it's a powerful tool. Look at Minecraft, KSP, and Prison Architect. Those games live on Early Access funding (or in Minecraft's case, lived). They're also made by professionalist teams who take their job seriously and communicate with the players. Most Early Access games are made by unprofessional developers who don't know what they're doing, what their responsibilites are, and those developers are the ones who will fail and scare people off Early Access. And yes, there are Early Access (that really should have a better acronym) games that are made to scam people.

Should you avoid Early Access like the plague? Not necessarily. Avoid Early Access games whose developers are unprofessional, uncommunicative, and unprogressive. Unfortunately, that includes most Early Access (I'm just going to call it ECS from now on) games and developers. Should you seek out ECS games? No, most definitely not, but don't be put off from buying a really cool game just because it's ECS.