if you gain early access to a game, will it be the same/almost the same to the release version and will progress carry on after the game releases?

[dariusz]

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[J4MESOX4D]

Depends on the game really. Always best to consult the game forum or developer website where there will more than likely be an FAQ breaking down questions about the current build and final release.

[ReBoot]

Progress is generally kept. As for the game staying the same, likely not. That's the whole point of development!

[Muppet among Puppets]

Early access can go well, or leaves you with an unfinished game, or a game that is kind of different than when you got it.

[dariusz]

Originally posted by ReBoot:

Progress is generally kept. As for the game staying the same, likely not. That's the whole point of development!

just realised now but i feel like i should've been more specific, sorry. generally talking about early access as in around a week before a games release, maybe received from pre-ordering. do you think that would have huge differences?

[Muppet among Puppets]

Pre order early access time is mostly the game a bit earlier.
Refund timer runs from any playtime.

[ReBoot]

Originally posted by ExerciseDespise:

Originally posted by ReBoot:

Progress is generally kept. As for the game staying the same, likely not. That's the whole point of development!

just realised now but i feel like i should've been more specific, sorry. generally talking about early access as in around a week before a games release, maybe received from pre-ordering. do you think that would have huge differences?

Unlikely. But if you're so worried about the game's final state, why pre-order in the first place? Wait til the proper Release, wait til the reviews start rolling in, wait til the first couple patches happened.

Pre-ordering makes sense in the realm of physical goods, those that can run out of stock. Steam games won't run out of stock, there's no reason to pre-order in the first place.

Don't pre-order, problem solved.

[J4MESOX4D]

Originally posted by ExerciseDespise:

Originally posted by ReBoot:

Progress is generally kept. As for the game staying the same, likely not. That's the whole point of development!

just realised now but i feel like i should've been more specific, sorry. generally talking about early access as in around a week before a games release, maybe received from pre-ordering. do you think that would have huge differences?

Depends on whether the game in question has a day one patch. Many adopters of pre-ordered titles for instance have often been burned for their early loyalty. Once again it still depends on the game but there really should be no difference aside from any 11th hour hotfixes and bonuses associated to buying the game early.

[dariusz]

Originally posted by ReBoot:

Originally posted by ExerciseDespise:

just realised now but i feel like i should've been more specific, sorry. generally talking about early access as in around a week before a games release, maybe received from pre-ordering. do you think that would have huge differences?

Unlikely. But if you're so worried about the game's final state, why pre-order in the first place? Wait til the proper Release, wait til the reviews start rolling in, wait til the first couple patches happened.

Pre-ordering makes sense in the realm of physical goods, those that can run out of stock. Steam games won't run out of stock, there's no reason to pre-order in the first place.

Don't pre-order, problem solved.

can't people give reviews during the early access? if they can, i can just check those, then pre-order if they're good and i'll have early access

[Crazy Tiger]

Early Access via pre-ordering is the same game as the released one. So of course the progress remains. There can be a day one patch on release day, but that doesn't change the game in such a significant way that the saves become useless.

[dariusz]

Originally posted by Crazy Tiger:

Early Access via pre-ordering is the same game as the released one. So of course the progress remains. There can be a day one patch on release day, but that doesn't change the game in such a significant way that the saves become useless.

👍

[KalGimpa]

Originally posted by ExerciseDespise:

Originally posted by ReBoot:

Progress is generally kept. As for the game staying the same, likely not. That's the whole point of development!

just realised now but i feel like i should've been more specific, sorry. generally talking about early access as in around a week before a games release, maybe received from pre-ordering. do you think that would have huge differences?

i was part of a beta before early access was a thing

the weekend before release, they changed almost everything with progression and leveling

seriously, everything was slowed down and clamped with zero warning it was going to happen

point being

you just never know