How long did they say Early Access would take, and how long has it been? · 1,951 in Early Access · 2,339 promises read · 779 announced, not started
| Year | Games | In Early Access now | Graduated | Median time in EA | Promise read | Overdue | Promise kept |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1,002 | 990 | 121% | 1 month | 90791% | 28of 826 parsed | — |
| 2025 | 366 | 366 | 00% | 13 months | 31586% | 119of 272 parsed | — |
| 2024 | 175 | 175 | 00% | 2 years 1 month | 15387% | 89of 122 parsed | — |
| 2023 | 102 | 102 | 00% | 3 years 2 months | 8886% | 50of 70 parsed | — |
| 2022 | 73 | 73 | 00% | 4 years 2 months | 6488% | 40of 48 parsed | — |
| 2021 | 50 | 50 | 00% | 5 years 1 month | 4182% | 23of 31 parsed | — |
| 2020 | 43 | 43 | 00% | 6 years 1 month | 3888% | 18of 22 parsed | — |
| 2019 | 37 | 37 | 00% | 7 years 3 months | 37100% | 18of 21 parsed | — |
| 2018 | 20 | 20 | 00% | 8 years 1 month | 1890% | 9of 10 parsed | — |
| 2017 | 17 | 17 | 00% | 9 years 3 months | 1694% | 7of 9 parsed | — |
| Game | Promise | Promised | Elapsed | Clock | Verdict | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SatawnSatawn | We currently expect Satawn to remain in Early Access for approximately 18 to 24 months. This is an estimate rather than a guaranteed deadline, as the schedule may change depending on development progress and community feedback.read 6 Sep 2026 | 18–24 months | 2 weeks | 2% | On the clock23 months left | |
| Torment HexusTorment Hexus | We plan to hit v1.0 in 2027.read 6 Sep 2026 | 16 monthsuntil 31 Dec 2027 | 1 week | 2% | On the clock16 months 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 | 4 days | 2% | On the clock7 months left | |
| OshiYaOshiYa | We currently expect Early Access to last roughly 9 to 15 months. This is an estimate, not a fixed release promise: the timing will depend on playtest data, technical stability and the scope that proves valuable to the community.read 8 Sep 2026 | 9–15 months | 1 week | 2% | On the clock15 months left | |
| 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 9 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 1 week | 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 10 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 1 week | 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 | 1 week | 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 | 1 week | 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 10 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 1 week | 2% | On the clock12 months left | |
| GrimveilGrimveil | 1-2 yearsread 9 Sep 2026 | 12–24 months | 2 weeks | 2% | On the clock2 years left | |
| Runetome: Battle PracticeRunetome: Battle Practice | It's difficult to predict how long a project will take. Considering how long it took to reach the current level of gameplay I would estimate 1 to 2 years.read 6 Sep 2026 | 12–24 months | 2 weeks | 2% | 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 10 Sep 2026 | 3–4 months | 2 days | 2% | On the clock4 months left | |
| GIANTESS PLAYGROUNDGIANTESS PLAYGROUND | Many months to a few years. We have a lot of improvements and continue to expand our scope for the games "playground." We will not be leaving Early Access for a long time, as we want to add a lot of content and functionality to the Giantess community via this software (Custom characters via VRM Importing, custom animations as well.)read 8 Sep 2026 | 24–48 months | 4 weeks | 2% | On the clock3 years 11 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 10 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 | |
| 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 | 3 days | 2% | On the clock6 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 | 3 days | 2% | On the clock6 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 | |
| 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 9 Sep 2026 | about 2 years | 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 | |
| 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 | 6 days | 2% | 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 | 6 days | 2% | 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 | 6 days | 2% | 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 | 6 days | 2% | 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 | 6 days | 2% | On the clock12 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 9 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 | |
| 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 10 Sep 2026 | 16–20 months | 1 week | 2% | On the clock20 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 9 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 1 week | 2% | On the clock18 months left | |
| Cornmaster's FuryCornmaster's Fury | 3 monthsread 10 Sep 2026 | about 3 months | 1 day | 2% | On the clock3 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 | |
| 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 | 5 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 | 5 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 | 5 days | 1% | On the clock12 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 9 Sep 2026 | about 2 years | 1 week | 1% | On the clock2 years left | |
| Idiots in the DASIdiots in the DAS | one to two years.read 10 Sep 2026 | 12–24 months | 1 week | 1% | On the clock2 years 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 | 1 week | 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 | 1 week | 1% | On the clock18 months left | |
| Infected EscapedInfected Escaped | About 2 to 3 yearsread 9 Sep 2026 | 24–36 months | 2 weeks | 1% | On the clock3 years 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 | 2 days | 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 | 2 days | 1% | On the clock6 months left | |
| GyinGyin | We expect Gyin to remain in Early Access for approximately six months. During this period, we will focus on improving application stability, expanding hardware compatibility, optimizing the user experience, adding more customization features, and collecting feedback from our community. The exact timing may change depending on development progress and user feedback. We will move toward full release once Gyin reaches a stable and polished experience.read 9 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 2 days | 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 | 2 days | 1% | On the clock6 months left | |
| SuhoSuho | We expect to be in Early Access for roughly 3 to 6 months. That said, our priority is leaving Early Access when the game is ready rather than on a fixed date.read 9 Sep 2026 | 3–6 months | 2 days | 1% | On the clock6 months left | |
| Not Quite Dead: Open World SurvivalNot Quite Dead: Open World Survival | 1 - 2 years.read 10 Sep 2026 | 12–24 months | 1 week | 1% | 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 clock3 years 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 | 4 days | 1% | On the clock12 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.