How long did they say Early Access would take, and how long has it been? · 1,732 in Early Access · 1,946 promises read · 666 announced, not started
| Year | Games | In Early Access now | Graduated | Median time in EA | Promise read | Overdue | Promise kept |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 932 | 924 | 81% | 1 month | 81988% | 23of 748 parsed | — |
| 2025 | 303 | 303 | 00% | 13 months | 24681% | 83of 203 parsed | — |
| 2024 | 157 | 157 | 00% | 2 years | 13485% | 75of 107 parsed | — |
| 2023 | 92 | 92 | 00% | 3 years 2 months | 7885% | 44of 62 parsed | — |
| 2022 | 62 | 62 | 00% | 4 years 2 months | 5284% | 33of 40 parsed | — |
| 2021 | 46 | 46 | 00% | 5 years 2 months | 3678% | 21of 27 parsed | — |
| 2020 | 41 | 41 | 00% | 6 years 1 month | 3688% | 16of 20 parsed | — |
| 2019 | 29 | 29 | 00% | 7 years 3 months | 29100% | 12of 15 parsed | — |
| 2018 | 17 | 17 | 00% | 8 years 1 month | 1588% | 7of 8 parsed | — |
| 2017 | 13 | 13 | 00% | 9 years 3 months | 1292% | 5of 7 parsed | — |
| Game | Promise | Promised | Elapsed | Clock | Verdict | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FunorbitFunorbit | I currently expect Funorbit to remain in Early Access for approximately 6 to 12 months. As a solo developer, the exact timeline may depend on development progress and community feedback. My goal is to leave Early Access once the main gameplay systems and planned content feel complete and polished enough for a full release.read 7 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 6 days | 2% | On the clock12 months left | |
| CRETA: Taskbar FishingCRETA: Taskbar Fishing | The game is currently expected to remain in Early Access for approximately 6 to 12 months. However, this estimate may change depending on the development process and the feedback received from players. CRETA will leave Early Access when its main systems feel sufficiently mature, its content and balance are ready, and the overall experience reaches a level that feels suitable for a full release.read 5 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 6 days | 2% | On the clock12 months left | |
| My Demonic Jungle QuestMy Demonic Jungle Quest | 6 months to 1 year.read 9 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 6 days | 2% | On the clock12 months left | |
| Unforgiving DungeonUnforgiving Dungeon | I expect the game to remain in Early Access for roughly 6–12 months. This estimate may change depending on community feedback, feature expansion, and overall development progress, but this is the general timeframe I’m aiming for.read 5 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 6 days | 2% | On the clock12 months left | |
| ToiletocalypseToiletocalypse | Hard to give a fixed date. Roughly 12 months, but the game will leave Early Access when I consider it actually finished, meaning when there's nothing sensible left to add, not according to a countdown on the calendar. No DLC planned, everything that's needed goes straight into the game...read 8 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 6 days | 2% | On the clock12 months left | |
| Deadline SaviorDeadline Savior | We estimate that the Early Access phase will last about 12 to 18 months. We view this period as a critical window for polishing the game’s core and expanding content. The 1.0 version will be officially launched once all planned major features are completed and reach a stable quality.read 8 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 1 week | 2% | On the clock18 months left | |
| Last Light: SurvivalLast Light: Survival | We expect Last Light: Survival to remain in Early Access for approximately 12 to 18 months. This timeframe allows us to steadily expand the game with new content, features, and improvements while carefully incorporating player feedback and ensuring overall stability and quality. Development progress may vary depending on community input and testing results, but our focus is on delivering a polished and complete full release rather than rushing the process.read 6 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 1 week | 2% | On the clock18 months left | |
| The Inn BetweenThe Inn Between | We estimate the completion of the routes to take another 1 - 1.5 years.read 7 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 1 week | 2% | On the clock18 months left | |
| Guild Management SimulatorGuild Management Simulator | Guild Management Simulator is currently expected to remain in Early Access for approximately 12–18 months. This is only an estimate and may change depending on player feedback, development progress, and how the game’s scope evolves.read 5 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 1 week | 2% | On the clock18 months left | |
| Skye's ReposeSkye's Repose | I expect this Early Access to last 1-2 years.read 6 Sep 2026 | 12–24 months | 2 weeks | 2% | On the clock2 years left | |
| Chore PetChore Pet | I expect it to take about 1-2 years, though I could be mistaken.read 6 Sep 2026 | 12–24 months | 2 weeks | 2% | On the clock2 years left | |
| 67 Simulator67 Simulator | We estimate 67 Simulator will remain in Early Access for approximately 6 to 7 months, depending on community feedback and development progress.read 6 Sep 2026 | 6–7 months | 3 days | 2% | On the clock7 months left | |
| Esports Idol SimulatorEsports Idol Simulator | We expect the Early Access period to last around two years. The timeline may adjust based on development progress and player feedback.read 7 Sep 2026 | about 2 years | 2 weeks | 2% | On the clock2 years left | |
| Breathedge 2Breathedge 2 | We currently expect Breathedge 2 to remain in Early Access for roughly 16–20 months, though that may change depending on how development progresses, player feedback, and the scope of any changes we decide to make along the way. We plan to leave Early Access once the game is close enough to the full Breathedge 2 experience we have in mind and we’re happy with its overall state. We’ll also do our best to polish everything to a blinding shine and deprive players of at least some of the bugs they love so dearly.read 8 Sep 2026 | 16–20 months | 1 week | 2% | On the clock20 months left | |
| Life in red lineLife in red line | We currently expect Life in Red Line to remain in Early Access for approximately 12 to 18 months. This is an estimate and may change depending on development progress and community feedback.read 8 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 1 week | 2% | On the clock18 months left | |
| Emotional Combat: Ratio V MotusEmotional Combat: Ratio V Motus | We estimate roughly 12–18 months in Early Access, though this may vary depending on the scope of emotions and content we add based on community feedback. We want to make sure the game feels complete before a full release.read 6 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 1 week | 2% | On the clock18 months left | |
| Brutal Ball Manager 2Brutal Ball Manager 2 | The plan is 3 months. The game is already better and more stable than BB1, but I still wanted time to get feedback and make sure there aren't any game breaking bugs.read 8 Sep 2026 | about 3 months | 1 day | 2% | On the clock3 months left | |
| Kitty Kitty Bounce BounceKitty Kitty Bounce Bounce | If all goes according to plan, it should be out by the end of November 2026read 9 Sep 2026 | 3 monthsuntil 30 Nov 2026 | 1 day | 2% | On the clock3 months left | |
| Hex TownHex Town | I want to release Hex Town ASAP! My plan is to stay in Early Access for 1-3 months based on player feedback, and to fully release before the end of 2026.read 9 Sep 2026 | 1–3 months | 1 day | 2% | On the clock3 months left | |
| The Boo CrooThe Boo Croo | We plan to keep The Boo Croo in early access for approximately one year, until Q4 2027.read 5 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 5 days | 1% | On the clock12 months left | |
| Launch Window: 1961Launch Window: 1961 | The current plan is for Launch Window to remain in Early Access for about one year after release. This may change depending on player feedback, development progress, and the amount of polish or additional content that makes sense to add before the full release.read 8 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 5 days | 1% | On the clock12 months left | |
| ZedFall: OutbreakZedFall: Outbreak | Up to a year, but hopefully less. The game is already playable start to finish, so the length of Early Access comes down to how much feedback arrives and how far it points. If players are happy with where it lands, it's possible to leave Early Access quicker.read 8 Sep 2026 | 0–12 months | 5 days | 1% | On the clock12 months left | |
| Cheap TattooCheap Tattoo | I'm planning on roughly six to twelve months in Early Access. That depends on what players ask for and how much of it turns out to be worth building, so I'd rather leave myself room than name a date.read 5 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 5 days | 1% | On the clock12 months left | |
| The Last ShootoutThe Last Shootout | 6 months up to a year. It'll be enough time to polish the game further, add more features, more maps, more characters etc.read 7 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 5 days | 1% | On the clock12 months left | |
| A College of Thirst & ClawsA College of Thirst & Claws | We currently estimate that this project will be in early access for 2-3 years until we have fully completed everything for the game to be in its finalised state. We aim to release new episodes as we develop them up to the full release.read 8 Sep 2026 | 24–36 months | 2 weeks | 1% | On the clock2 years 11 months left | |
| Guilds of MountgateGuilds of Mountgate | We currently expect Guilds of Mountgate to remain in Early Access for approximately 12 to 18 months. This estimate may change depending on player feedback, the scope of upcoming systems, and the amount of testing and balancing required. We would rather give important features the time they need than rush the game toward Version 1.0 before it is ready. Development will continue throughout Early Access with regular updates, additional content, balancing changes, quality-of-life improvements, and larger system expansions.read 8 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 1 week | 1% | On the clock18 months left | |
| Midwinter Fan RemasterMidwinter Fan Remaster | Around 6 months. The goal is 1.0 once the full campaign is complete and stable across the whole island and at various difficulty levels.read 8 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 2 days | 1% | On the clock6 months left | |
| Who Haunts The Haunters?Who Haunts The Haunters? | We estimate the Early Access period will last around 6 months.read 8 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 2 days | 1% | On the clock6 months left | |
| Crown MarshalCrown Marshal | We currently expect Crown Marshal to remain in Early Access for approximately 24 months. This estimate may change depending on development progress, testing results, and community feedback. Rather than rushing to meet a fixed date, we intend to evaluate when the game is ready to leave Early Access based on its content, stability, and overall level of polish.read 6 Sep 2026 | about 2 years | 1 week | 1% | On the clock2 years left | |
| Until North EndsUntil North Ends | I plan to keep the project in early access for two years after its release.read 6 Sep 2026 | about 2 years | 1 week | 1% | On the clock2 years left | |
| Infected EscapedInfected Escaped | About 2 to 3 yearsread 9 Sep 2026 | 24–36 months | 2 weeks | 1% | On the clock3 years left | |
| Level Up, Tiny King!Level Up, Tiny King! | We plan for the game to stay in Early Access for around 6 to 12 months. This will give us enough time to gather feedback, improve balance, add content, and polish the overall experience without rushing development.read 6 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 4 days | 1% | On the clock12 months left | |
| Path of the idle cultivatorPath of the idle cultivator | We expect the game to remain in Early Access for approximately one year. This timeline gives us enough room to develop and release the remaining Ascensions, incorporate community feedback into pacing and balance, and polish the overall experience before considering the game feature-complete. That said, our priority is making sure the content is properly tested and balanced rather than rushing to hit a fixed date, so this timeframe could shift depending on how development and community feedback progress.read 9 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 4 days | 1% | On the clock12 months left | |
| Wayfarer ProtocolWayfarer Protocol | Roughly 6 to 12 months. That really depends on how much the game grows and how much player feedback shapes it, so I'd rather give an honest estimate than promise a fixed date.read 9 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 4 days | 1% | On the clock12 months left | |
| Gridiron ManagerGridiron Manager | We currently expect Gridiron Manager to remain in Early Access for approximately 12 to 18 months. This estimate may change depending on development progress and community feedback.read 5 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 6 days | 1% | On the clock18 months left | |
| DEMO IT!DEMO IT! | We are aiming for somewhere around a year to eighteen months, and we do not plan for it to run beyond the end of 2027. That is an estimate rather than a promise. We would rather leave Early Access when the game is genuinely finished than leave it on a date we picked before anyone had played it. How long it really takes will depend a great deal on what players ask for once they are in — if the feedback points somewhere we did not expect, we would rather follow it than hold to a schedule.read 6 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 6 days | 1% | On the clock18 months left | |
| Not Quite Dead: Open World SurvivalNot Quite Dead: Open World Survival | 1 - 2 years.read 8 Sep 2026 | 12–24 months | 1 week | 1% | On the clock2 years left | |
| Nuktedan: The Forgotten EmotionsNuktedan: The Forgotten Emotions | I'm planning for the Early Access period to last around 3 to 4 months.read 8 Sep 2026 | 3–4 months | 1 day | 1% | On the clock4 months left | |
| Rocket EngineerRocket Engineer | Our timeline for Early Access is dictated by our content milestones rather than a strict calendar. We anticipate development taking a couple of years. The first major phase will focus on polishing the existing 2D physics and resource systems based on your feedback, followed by the rollout of entirely new mechanics. We are committed to supporting Rocket Engineer well beyond its 1.0 launch.read 6 Sep 2026 | 24–36 months | 2 weeks | 1% | On the clock3 years left | |
| ShipShaper: Falconeer ChroniclesShipShaper: Falconeer Chronicles | At least 3 months, Generally my games get two years of full content and update support. But likely it won't be that long the core feature set for ShipShaper is already quite complete. Make ships, share them and sail them.read 8 Sep 2026 | 3–24 months | 1 week | 1% | On the clock2 years left | |
| Delicious TravelingsDelicious Travelings | Early access will last until all planned features are implemented. At a rate of one chapter per year, it will take 4 years before the release of version 1.0.read 6 Sep 2026 | about 4 years | 2 weeks | 1% | On the clock4 years left | |
| Town DiggersTown Diggers | Town Diggers will be in early access for approximately 18 months.read 6 Sep 2026 | about 18 months | 5 days | 1% | On the clock18 months left | |
| Load FactorLoad Factor | We plan to be in Early Access for roughly 12 months. That's an estimate, not a promise, we'd rather leave Early Access when the game is genuinely ready than hit an arbitrary date. If the game needs more time to reach the depth and polish we're aiming for, we'll take it.read 7 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 3 days | 1% | On the clock12 months left | |
| First SinFirst Sin | Our current plan is to remain in Early Access for 6 to 12 months. This window gives us enough time to expand the open world, introduce additional shop types, refine the crime systems, improve AI behavior, and test new content such as vehicles, online features, and advanced missions. However, we prefer transparency: if the community requests more features or deeper systems than initially planned, we may extend Early Access to deliver the best possible full release. We will provide regular updates, roadmap adjustments, and detailed communication throughout the entire process. The goal is not to stay in Early Access longer than necessary, but long enough to ensure a stable, feature-rich, and polished final game.read 6 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 3 days | 1% | On the clock12 months left | |
| Dark RideDark Ride | Our rough estimate is six months. The game is being developed by a small independent team, and the pace of development will depend partly on player feedback and on how the world evolves during Early Access. Rather than rushing toward a fixed release date, we want to use this period to gradually expand the park, improve the VR experience, and make sure the final game feels like a complete and satisfying place to explore.read 8 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 1 day | 1% | On the clock6 months left | |
| DicewayfarerDicewayfarer | We currently expect Dicewayfarer to remain in Early Access for approximately 3–6 months. However, this may change depending on player feedback and the amount of additional balancing and polish required.read 8 Sep 2026 | 3–6 months | 1 day | 1% | On the clock6 months left | |
| MergeCasterMergeCaster | Approximately six months. We plan to conclude the Early Access period in February 2027.read 8 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 1 day | 1% | On the clock6 months left | |
| Dungeon SettlersDungeon Settlers | We currently expect Dungeon Settlers to remain in Early Access for approximately 2 years. This timeframe may change depending on development progress and community feedback. Our goal is to leave Early Access when we believe the game offers the level of polish and content we are aiming for. Throughout Early Access, we plan to continue releasing regular updates with new content, improvements, and refinements.read 9 Sep 2026 | about 2 years | 5 days | 1% | On the clock2 years left | |
| ScavlandScavland | We anticipate that Scavland will be in Early Access for roughly 12 to 24 months. However, this timeline depends largely on community feedback and the scale of new features and content we prioritize together. Our focus is on quality and ensuring that every aspect of the game meets both our standards and your expectations, rather than rushing toward a release date.read 8 Sep 2026 | 12–24 months | 5 days | 1% | On the clock2 years left | |
| Random MixRandom Mix | Random Mix is currently expected to remain in Early Access for approximately 12 to 24 months. This is an estimate, not a guarantee, and may change based on development progress, player feedback, and the stability of the planned 1.0 scope.read 6 Sep 2026 | 12–24 months | 5 days | 1% | On the clock2 years 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.