How long did they say Early Access would take, and how long has it been? · 1,813 in Early Access · 2,088 promises read · 709 announced, not started
| Year | Games | In Early Access now | Graduated | Median time in EA | Promise read | Overdue | Promise kept |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 961 | 952 | 91% | 1 month | 85589% | 25of 780 parsed | — |
| 2025 | 313 | 313 | 00% | 13 months | 25682% | 87of 214 parsed | — |
| 2024 | 166 | 166 | 00% | 2 years 1 month | 14386% | 83of 116 parsed | — |
| 2023 | 98 | 98 | 00% | 3 years 2 months | 8486% | 47of 67 parsed | — |
| 2022 | 65 | 65 | 00% | 4 years 2 months | 5686% | 35of 42 parsed | — |
| 2021 | 48 | 48 | 00% | 5 years 1 month | 3879% | 22of 30 parsed | — |
| 2020 | 42 | 42 | 00% | 6 years 1 month | 3788% | 17of 21 parsed | — |
| 2019 | 33 | 33 | 00% | 7 years 3 months | 33100% | 15of 18 parsed | — |
| 2018 | 19 | 19 | 00% | 8 years 1 month | 1789% | 9of 10 parsed | — |
| 2017 | 16 | 16 | 00% | 9 years 3 months | 1594% | 6of 8 parsed | — |
| Game | Promise | Promised | Elapsed | Clock | Verdict | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Polo Manager 2026Water Polo Manager 2026 | Our current estimate is approximately three to six months. This is a planning window, not a fixed promise: we will move to version 1.0 when stability, balance, onboarding and the overall career experience meet our quality target. We will communicate any meaningful change to that estimate through Steam announcements.read 8 Sep 2026 | 3–6 months | 2 weeks | 7% | On the clock6 months left | |
| IDLEPUNK - Ghost LinkIDLEPUNK - Ghost Link | We currently expect Early Access to last around 12–18 months, although this may change depending on development progress and community feedback.read 7 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 1 month | 7% | On the clock17 months left | |
| Fantasy ShopFantasy Shop | We aim to finish all content before 2027 Q3read 7 Sep 2026 | 14 monthsuntil 30 Sep 2027 | 4 weeks | 7% | On the clock13 months left | |
| WE ARE SO DEADWE ARE SO DEAD | I estimate about 6-12 months but it will highly depend on community interest, if there is a lot of interest for additional content, I might extend the Early Access period.read 7 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 3 weeks | 7% | On the clock11 months left | |
| SubmergeSubmerge | We plan to remain in Early Access for around 6–12 months, depending on community feedback and development progress. This timeframe may change as we continue improving the game and expanding its features.read 6 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 3 weeks | 7% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Solar WaveSolar Wave | I expect the game to remain in Early Access for approximately one year. However, this timeline may shift depending on community feedback and the time required to implement new features and polish the gameplay.read 7 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 3 weeks | 7% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Home Store SimulatorHome Store Simulator | We plan to complete the full version of the game in approximately 12 months. This timeframe will allow us to implement all the features we have envisioned and bring the game to a level that meets our own quality standards.read 9 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 3 weeks | 7% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Guild LegendsGuild Legends | I expect it to leave early access in Summer of 2027.read 9 Sep 2026 | 12 monthsuntil 31 Aug 2027 | 3 weeks | 7% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Void RegaliaVoid Regalia | About a year.read 9 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 3 weeks | 7% | On the clock11 months left | |
| 无限数字工厂无限数字工厂 | We currently expect the game to remain in Early Access for approximately 6 to 12 months. The exact duration may change depending on player feedback and the amount of balancing, optimization, and additional content required.read 6 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 3 weeks | 7% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Chaos Football Club (CFC)Chaos Football Club (CFC) | We expect PITCH RIOT to be in Early Access for roughly 9–12 months, targeting release around mid-2027. The remaining work covers the full club and stadium roster, additional game modes, story mode chapters, expanded special powers, and a final balance and polish pass across ball physics and controller feel. Development timelines can shift, particularly based on what players prioritise during Early Access, and we will update our roadmap and post an announcement if that estimate changes significantly.read 6 Sep 2026 | 9–12 months | 3 weeks | 7% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Slaymeji: Roguelite Desktop SurvivorSlaymeji: Roguelite Desktop Survivor | I expect Early Access to last about four to five months. My current target for 1.0 is the end of 2026 or the start of 2027. That estimate is based on the work left in the current scope. Bosses and elites still need their own behavior. More wave types and skill tree branches are planned. Cosmetics and the wider balance pass also need to be finished. If player feedback shows that the game needs more time, I will extend the schedule.read 6 Sep 2026 | 4–5 months | 1 week | 6% | On the clock5 months left | |
| LittleRacerLittleRacer | Three monthsread 6 Sep 2026 | about 3 months | 6 days | 6% | On the clock3 months left | |
| EntropyEntropy | Entropy is currently planned to be in Early Access for one year, until it is polished and content complete. The game is fully funded and will be launching into 1.0 regardless of the success of Early Access.read 6 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 3 weeks | 6% | On the clock11 months left | |
| BeastLinkBeastLink | Our Early Access content roadmap puts 1.0 launch around Summer 2027. But if new, too good to pass up, content needs to be made based on some amazing discoveries we make with the community, our full game launch timeline may shift.read 8 Sep 2026 | 12 monthsuntil 31 Aug 2027 | 3 weeks | 6% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Tail and ChaosTail and Chaos | We currently expect the Early Access period to last approximately 6–12 months. This estimate may change depending on player feedback, the scope of required improvements, and the time needed to reach the desired quality for version 1.0.read 8 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 3 weeks | 6% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Boring Car Stories - MaghrebineBoring Car Stories - Maghrebine | For another 12 months after the initial release.read 6 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 3 weeks | 6% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Ball, Fall, Dungeon CrawlBall, Fall, Dungeon Crawl | The game will be in Early Access for 6 - 12 months.read 6 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 3 weeks | 6% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Neon TyrantNeon Tyrant | We expect around 6 to 12 months. The game is content-complete as a core experience today; how long we stay in Early Access depends on how much the community's feedback reshapes balance, content and features. We would rather leave Early Access with a game the community signed off on than rush a date.read 6 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 3 weeks | 6% | On the clock11 months left | |
| 修仙·卦象录修仙·卦象录 | We plan for the Early Access period to last approximately one year. The exact duration will depend on the pace of content updates and community feedback—we prioritize quality over rushing. We'll keep players informed of progress through regular update posts.read 6 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 3 weeks | 6% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Train TrekTrain Trek | I plan to be in Early Access for roughly 6 to 12 months. The exact length depends on how much iteration the campaign and multiplayer need once players are testing them at scale, and on the time it takes to validate performance across the broad spread of hardware I'm targeting. I'd rather leave Early Access when the game genuinely feels ready than commit to a fixed date.read 9 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 3 weeks | 6% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Escape SequenceEscape Sequence | Roughly 6 to 12 months. The exit criteria are concrete: the scoring economy holds up against the top of the global leaderboard, online play is proven across regions, and the remaining planned features below are shipped. We'd rather leave Early Access with the numbers right than on a date.read 6 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 3 weeks | 6% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Captain VKingCaptain VKing | We expect Early Access to last roughly 8 to 12 months, depending on player feedback and how the scope of our planned features evolves during development.read 6 Sep 2026 | 8–12 months | 3 weeks | 6% | On the clock11 months left | |
| NOXONNOXON | Approximately 6 to 12 months. We would rather leave Early Access when the balance and the online experience are truly right than commit to an exact date.read 6 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 3 weeks | 6% | On the clock11 months left | |
| PlagueSteadPlagueStead | We are expecting approximately 1 year in early access. This estimate may change depending on development progress and community feedback.read 6 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 3 weeks | 6% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Prison GambitPrison Gambit | We plan to be in Early Access for approximately 12 to 18 months. The exact timing depends on how the roadmap lands and how player feedback shapes priorities. We'd rather leave Early Access when the game feels finished to the people playing it than when a fixed date says so.read 6 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 1 month | 6% | On the clock17 months left | |
| EslabongEslabong | I expect the game to remain in Early Access for approximately 3 to 9 months. The game is already close to the experience I want to deliver, but I will use Early Access to gather feedback and make improvements based on what the community wants and expects. As a player, I dislike Early Access games that remain unfinished for years or make unrealistic promises. My goal is to avoid that and keep the development process transparent and focused.read 7 Sep 2026 | 3–9 months | 2 weeks | 6% | On the clock8 months left | |
| vitalisvitalis | For about a year.read 6 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 3 weeks | 6% | On the clock11 months left | |
| 星を編んで空を描く星を編んで空を描く | About one yearread 6 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 3 weeks | 6% | On the clock11 months left | |
| 喵呜与管道喵呜与管道 | We plan to stay in Early Access for roughly 3-6 months. The actual duration may change according to development progress and community feedback.read 6 Sep 2026 | 3–6 months | 2 weeks | 6% | On the clock6 months left | |
| ZeroPointZeroPoint | ZERO POINT is expected to remain in Early Access for approximately six months. However, this schedule may change depending on development progress and the number of issues discovered during Early Access. Our current plan is to remain in Early Access while we continue evaluating the overall stability and completeness of the experience. The timing of the full release may change depending on development progress and player feedback.read 6 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 2 weeks | 6% | On the clock6 months left | |
| SeaColonySeaColony | We currently expect SeaColony to remain in Early Access for approximately 6–9 months, though the timeline may change depending on development progress and community feedback.read 8 Sep 2026 | 6–9 months | 2 weeks | 6% | On the clock8 months left | |
| Nazi ZombiesNazi Zombies | This game will be in early access for approximately 1-2 years.read 9 Sep 2026 | 12–24 months | 1 month | 6% | On the clock23 months left | |
| Deep Blue SushiDeep Blue Sushi | We currently expect Deep Blue Sushi to remain in Early Access for approximately 6 to 12 months. However, this timeframe may change depending on player feedback, development progress, and the amount of additional polish and content the game requires.read 9 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 3 weeks | 6% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Idle PolygonIdle Polygon | We estimate that the game will remain in Early Access for approximately one year.read 7 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 3 weeks | 6% | On the clock11 months left | |
| White DwarfWhite Dwarf | We currently expect Early Access to last somewhere between six months and a year, depending on how the content and balance work develops. That timeframe is an estimate, not a deadline. The whole point of Early Access is being able to respond to what players actually experience, and some problems only become obvious once enough people are playing. If the game needs more time to get the balance right, we would rather take that time than leave Early Access on schedule with a game that is not ready.read 6 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 3 weeks | 6% | On the clock11 months left | |
| DeadEye: A Roguelike ShooterDeadEye: A Roguelike Shooter | DeadEye is currently expected to remain in Early Access for approximately one year. This is an estimate rather than a fixed deadline and may change depending on development progress, technical circumstances, and the direction of the project.read 6 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 3 weeks | 6% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Roll to RuinRoll to Ruin | We plan for Early Access to last around 6 to 12 months, depending on player feedback and content completion. The core systems and all 7 chapters are already implemented in the Early Access build — the remaining time will be spent on balance iteration and quality-of-life polish.read 6 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 3 weeks | 6% | On the clock11 months left | |
| ReDraft: The Fantasy Football SimulatorReDraft: The Fantasy Football Simulator | 1 yearread 6 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 3 weeks | 6% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Platform NationPlatform Nation | I currently expect Platform Nation to remain in Early Access for approximately 12 months. This estimate may change depending on player feedback, technical issues, and the amount of refinement the game needs before it feels ready for a full release.read 6 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 3 weeks | 6% | On the clock11 months left | |
| the cabin gamethe cabin game | The goal is to have the this game out of early access within 6-8 months of its release date.read 8 Sep 2026 | 6–8 months | 2 weeks | 6% | On the clock8 months left | |
| Shifting SandsShifting Sands | Dr. Annelise: Around 6 to 8 months. Iddy: A crisp little estimate. Very brave of us. Ms. Smith: It is an estimate. If the game clearly needs more time to grow up properly, we'll give it more time. Nobody benefits from us sprinting to 1.0 with our shirt half buttoned.read 5 Sep 2026 | 6–8 months | 2 weeks | 6% | On the clock8 months left | |
| Fairtravel Battle CCGFairtravel Battle CCG | We expect the development to take another 1 to 2 years for the 1.0 version to be released.read 6 Sep 2026 | 12–24 months | 1 month | 6% | On the clock23 months left | |
| Z-SectorZ-Sector | We anticipate that Z-Sector will be in Early Access for approximately 12 to 18 months. This timeframe may be adjusted based on community feedback and the speed of our development progress.read 6 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 4 weeks | 5% | On the clock17 months left | |
| FEAR OF FAITHFEAR OF FAITH | Approximately one year, although this timeline may change depending on player feedback and the development process.read 8 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 3 weeks | 5% | On the clock11 months left | |
| C.U.B.EC.U.B.E | I currently expect CUBE to remain in Early Access for approximately 6-12 months. Development timelines can change depending on the complexity of new features, bug fixes, and community feedback. Rather than rushing toward a specific release date, my focus is on continuously improving the game and adding meaningful content throughout the Early Access period.read 6 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 3 weeks | 5% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Alien ApocalypseAlien Apocalypse | The game will remain in Early Access for 6 to 12 months, until we consider it has reached the level of quality and content we envisioned for the official launch. We are committed to continuously improving the game through regular updates and community feedback until it is ready for version 1.0.read 9 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 3 weeks | 5% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Architecture & DesignArchitecture & Design | Around 6 to 12 months, depending on player feedback and the development of planned features.read 9 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 3 weeks | 5% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Rip N ShipRip N Ship | We expect Rip N Ship to be in Early Access for about 6 to 12 months. That timeline may change depending on player feedback, how much content we add, and how much balancing and polish the game needs before it feels ready for a full release.read 9 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 3 weeks | 5% | On the clock11 months left | |
| OverhatchedOverhatched | We currently expect Overhatched to remain in Early Access for approximately 6 months to 1 year. Development timelines can evolve as we continue gathering feedback and improving the game, but our goal is to use this period to expand content, polish systems, and prepare the game for a strong full release.read 9 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 3 weeks | 5% | On the clock11 months left |
A game is in Early Access when the store lists it among its genres; the clock starts on the day the ledger saw it enter or, for a game that launched into Early Access, on the release date the store prints. The promise is the developer’s own questionnaire answer, kept word for word; only ranges and single figures are compared, open answers are listed as open, and answers the parser could not read say so. Graduations are recorded from 3 Sep 2026, so earlier years undercount them. A game whose questionnaire has not been read yet says “not read yet” under No promise (how). Data by SteamPeaks.com.