How long did they say Early Access would take, and how long has it been? · 2,300 in Early Access · 3,054 promises read · 1,036 announced, not started
| Year | Games | In Early Access now | Graduated | Median time in EA | Promise read | Overdue | Promise kept |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1,116 | 1,093 | 232% | 2 months | 1,04193% | 34of 935 parsed | — |
| 2025 | 412 | 412 | 00% | 13 months | 37090% | 135of 319 parsed | — |
| 2024 | 211 | 211 | 00% | 2 years 1 month | 19191% | 111of 153 parsed | — |
| 2023 | 119 | 119 | 00% | 3 years 2 months | 10891% | 65of 87 parsed | — |
| 2022 | 80 | 80 | 00% | 4 years 2 months | 7189% | 47of 55 parsed | — |
| 2021 | 57 | 57 | 00% | 5 years 2 months | 5088% | 28of 37 parsed | — |
| 2020 | 47 | 47 | 00% | 6 years 1 month | 4289% | 21of 26 parsed | — |
| 2019 | 45 | 45 | 00% | 7 years 3 months | 45100% | 23of 26 parsed | — |
| 2018 | 24 | 24 | 00% | 8 years 1 month | 2292% | 13of 14 parsed | — |
| 2017 | 25 | 25 | 00% | 9 years 2 months | 2496% | 14of 16 parsed | — |
| Game | Promise | Promised | Elapsed | Clock | Verdict | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DarkShineDarkShine | The most challenging part of development namely, building the foundation is now complete. The game is currently in the phase of introducing the story and the key characters involved in it. But, as we all know, good things take time, and the game world will expand gradually, offering a small surprise with each update. The estimated development time is several years until the project is fully completed.read 10 Sep 2026 | 36–72 months | 14 months | 19% | On the clock4 years 10 months left | |
| Funnel RunnersFunnel Runners | Approximately 1 year.read 11 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 2 months | 16% | On the clock10 months left | |
| ExoTrainExoTrain | About one year. However, we may significantly expand our plans based on player feedback and requests.read 8 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 2 months | 15% | On the clock10 months left | |
| Tellus: Echo of the VoidTellus: Echo of the Void | About between 24 months 30 months since release of the game as early access.read 9 Sep 2026 | 24–30 months | 4 months | 15% | On the clock2 years 2 months left | |
| MistakenMistaken | The current estimate is for Mistaken to remain in Early Access for roughly 1–2 years. As development continues, this timeline may evolve depending on player feedback and the scope of future updates and improvements.read 7 Sep 2026 | 12–24 months | 4 months | 15% | On the clock20 months left | |
| Subspace: ReduxSubspace: Redux | We expect Early Access to run for approximately 2-3 months, depending on how ship balance, Battlegrounds modes, and the Ship Enhancements store evolve based on player feedback.read 6 Sep 2026 | 2–3 months | 2 weeks | 15% | On the clock3 months left | |
| 守护我的大火箭守护我的大火箭 | We expect the game to remain in Early Access for approximately six months. The exact timeline may change depending on player feedback and the amount of additional content we plan to add during development.read 7 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 3 weeks | 13% | On the clock5 months left | |
| Last BreathLast Breath | The game will remain in Early Access for as long as needed to properly develop its core systems and respond to player feedback. Our estimate is roughly 12–18 months, but I prefer to focus on quality rather than a strict deadline.read 10 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 2 months | 12% | On the clock16 months left | |
| Destiny of ImmortalDestiny of Immortal | We expect the Early Access phase to last approximately 12 to 18 months. This timeline is based on the workload required to complete the remaining two core storylines and the time needed for content polishing and quality assurance based on player feedback.read 8 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 2 months | 12% | On the clock16 months left | |
| Subnautica 2Subnautica 2 | It is difficult to accurately predict how long Early Access will last. Based on previous Early Access games we have developed, we expect it to take about 2 to 3 years. We have a number of goals that we are adamantly working towards. We are focusing on delivering quality at a reasonable pace. At the end of the day, we're dedicated to completing Subnautica 2 and making it the best game possible.read 12 Sep 2026 | 24–36 months | 4 months | 11% | On the clock2 years 8 months left | |
| Stay: Your Forever Pet!Stay: Your Forever Pet! | Early Access will continue as we refine and polish the core experience.We anticipate being in Early Access for approximately 12–18 months, while development will continue afterward with ongoing updates and long-term plans.read 11 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 2 months | 11% | On the clock16 months left | |
| Sea DrifterSea Drifter | Roughly 6–12 months, depending on how much the community's feedback changes course.read 9 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 1 month | 10% | On the clock11 months left | |
| MEOWMIMEOWMI | Expect the game to remain in Early Access for approximately 6–12 months, depending on feedback and development progress.read 6 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 1 month | 10% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Dead Air CountyDead Air County | We currently expect Dead Air County to remain in Early Access for approximately 6 to 12 months. That timeline may change depending on player feedback, bug fixing, balancing, performance work, and the amount of additional content needed before the full release. The goal is not to rush out of Early Access, but to use the period to improve stability, expand contracts, add more room variety, refine enemy behavior, improve atmosphere, and make the extraction loop more replayable. If major systems or content additions take longer than expected, we may extend Early Access to make sure the final release is stronger.read 6 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 1 month | 10% | On the clock11 months left | |
| LuminaryLuminary | We are initially planning for 1 year until an official 1.0 release. But if the early access is a bigger success than expected and the community wants us to go bigger with our content, we may add an additional time for that.read 8 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 1 month | 9% | On the clock11 months left | |
| CHEMISTS: Dead ZoneCHEMISTS: Dead Zone | We haven't set an exact date at the moment, but we expect the game to exit Early Access in approximately 1-2 years. This timeframe will be needed to implement all the content as a whole.read 10 Sep 2026 | 12–24 months | 2 months | 9% | On the clock22 months left | |
| Airport Manager Simulator 2026Airport Manager Simulator 2026 | We plan around six to twelve months. This gives us time to expand terminals, add aircraft and equipment, and polish core systems based on player feedback.read 6 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 1 month | 9% | On the clock11 months left | |
| 智探智探 | We expect Early Access to last around 6 to 12 months. The exact duration may change based on player feedback, content development, and system improvements. Our goal is to leave Early Access once the core gameplay, case content, stability, and overall experience reach our full release standard.read 6 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 1 month | 9% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Infinite BackroomsInfinite Backrooms | We plan to remain in Early Access for approximately 6 to 12 months. Our roadmap includes new environments, additional entities, an escape mechanic, and an expanded multiplayer experience. When we feel the game truly delivers the definitive infinite Backrooms experience, we will move to full release.read 8 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 4 weeks | 8% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Driftscape: VoidDriftscape: Void | We currently expect Early Access to last between 6 months and 1 year, though development timelines may change based on community feedback and the needs of the project.read 5 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 4 weeks | 8% | On the clock11 months left | |
| DawnDawn | We want to avoid giving specific time frames as we are a very small development team. The early access release provides us with a foundation to build off of and update/add to until we feel that the game is in a fully finished state. We are estimating the game will spend 4-5 years in early access, but this is indefinite.read 6 Sep 2026 | 48–60 months | 5 months | 8% | On the clock4 years 7 months left | |
| Princess of Frozen FlowersPrincess of Frozen Flowers | We currently expect Princess of Frozen Flowers to remain in Early Access for approximately one year. This estimate may change depending on player feedback, development needs, and the amount of testing and polish required before the full release.read 11 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 3 weeks | 6% | On the clock11 months left | |
| The CoreThe Core | We estimate 12 to 18 months. During the early access period, we plan to release a story update (new chapter) every 4-6 months, and new trials every month.read 9 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 4 weeks | 6% | On the clock17 months left | |
| Backrooms Manager - TogetherBackrooms Manager - Together | We currently expect Backrooms Manager - Together to remain in Early Access for approximately 12 to 18 months. This estimate may change depending on development progress, player feedback, and the amount of content we decide to add before the full release.read 6 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 4 weeks | 5% | On the clock17 months left | |
| Morhval: RavenglaireMorhval: Ravenglaire | We currently expect Morhval to remain in Early Access for approximately 18 to 24 months. This is an estimate rather than a guaranteed deadline. Morhval is a solo-developed, systems-heavy RPG, and the duration may change depending on technical challenges, community feedback and the scope of the features developed during Early Access.read 9 Sep 2026 | 18–24 months | 1 month | 5% | On the clock23 months left | |
| Mazey VillageMazey Village | We currently expect Mazey Village to remain in Early Access for around 1–2 years. During this time, we plan to expand the game with additional content, features, polish, and at least two brand-new biomes for players to explore. Development timelines may change depending on community feedback and the scope of planned updates.read 7 Sep 2026 | 12–24 months | 1 month | 5% | On the clock23 months left | |
| 不劳则死不劳则死 | I plan to advance development toward the full release through approximately 14 medium-sized updates. Based on the current update cadence (roughly one every 40 days), the Early Access phase is expected to last about 18 months.read 6 Sep 2026 | 1–18 months | 3 weeks | 4% | On the clock17 months left | |
| Pleiades ZeroPleiades Zero | We plan to stay in Early Access until the full seven-star journey is complete and polished to the standard we're aiming for. We'd rather take the time needed to expand the levels, refine the puzzles, and get performance and presentation right. Our goal is to leave Early Access when the game is ready, not before. We expect the game to remain in Early Access by roughly late 2027.read 12 Sep 2026 | 16 monthsuntil 31 Dec 2027 | 3 weeks | 4% | On the clock15 months left | |
| Fossil BoundFossil Bound | We currently expect Fossil Bound to remain in Early Access for approximately 12–18 months. During this time we plan to expand the number of dig sites, fossils, museum features, and gameplay systems while continuing to refine the core excavation mechanics based on player feedback.read 8 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 3 weeks | 4% | On the clock17 months left | |
| Nuktedan: The Forgotten EmotionsNuktedan: The Forgotten Emotions | I'm planning for the Early Access period to last around 3 to 4 months.read 10 Sep 2026 | 3–4 months | 4 days | 3% | On the clock4 months left | |
| Survival DimensionSurvival Dimension | We plan to keep our game in early access for one year.read 6 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 2 weeks | 3% | On the clock12 months left | |
| Artificial BloodlineArtificial Bloodline | We estimate the Early Access phase will last approximately one year, though this timeline may be adjusted flexibly based on development progress and community feedback.read 6 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 2 weeks | 3% | On the clock12 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 | 5 days | 3% | On the clock6 months left | |
| Project: StationProject: Station | We currently estimate Project: Station will remain in Early Access for approximately 12 to 18 months. During this time we plan to expand content, add new enemies, stations, and quests, and refine core systems based on community feedback. This timeline may shift as the game evolves with player input.read 6 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 2 weeks | 3% | On the clock17 months left | |
| Idiots in the DASIdiots in the DAS | one to two years.read 10 Sep 2026 | 12–24 months | 2 weeks | 2% | On the clock2 years 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 clock2 years 11 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.