How long did they say Early Access would take, and how long has it been? · 2,501 in Early Access · 3,402 promises read · 1,137 announced, not started
| Year | Games | In Early Access now | Graduated | Median time in EA | Promise read | Overdue | Promise kept |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1,165 | 1,140 | 252% | 2 months | 1,10195% | 39of 990 parsed | — |
| 2025 | 443 | 443 | 00% | 13 months | 40892% | 152of 351 parsed | — |
| 2024 | 234 | 234 | 00% | 2 years 1 month | 21692% | 128of 175 parsed | — |
| 2023 | 124 | 124 | 00% | 3 years 2 months | 11391% | 69of 91 parsed | — |
| 2022 | 87 | 87 | 00% | 4 years 2 months | 7991% | 52of 62 parsed | — |
| 2021 | 61 | 61 | 00% | 5 years 2 months | 5489% | 32of 41 parsed | — |
| 2020 | 52 | 52 | 00% | 6 years 1 month | 4994% | 25of 31 parsed | — |
| 2019 | 50 | 50 | 00% | 7 years 2 months | 50100% | 26of 29 parsed | — |
| 2018 | 30 | 30 | 00% | 8 years 2 months | 2893% | 19of 20 parsed | — |
| 2017 | 36 | 36 | 00% | 9 years 3 months | 3597% | 17of 19 parsed | — |
| Game | Promise | Promised | Elapsed | Clock | Verdict | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PolyZPolyZ | As we embark on the Early Access phase of 'PolyZ,' we anticipate this exciting journey to extend for approximately one - two years. Our current estimate for the full release of the game is projected around Mid 2025. Please note that this timeline is subject to adjustments based on your valuable feedback and the evolving development needs of the game. Join us now to be a part of shaping 'PolyZ' into an extraordinary gaming experience!read 10 Sep 2026 | 12–24 months | 23 months | 97% | On the clockDue this month | |
| Turing CompleteTuring Complete | The game will exit early access in 2026read 8 Sep 2026 | 5 years 3 monthsuntil 31 Dec 2026 | 4 years 11 months | 94% | On the clock4 months left | |
| Astral OutcastAstral Outcast | First and foremost, it depends on you and your feedback. My current goal is to take the game out of Early Access within a year. I firmly believe that by then I can offer a game that is worthy of your time, money and will bring you fun for years to come.read 10 Sep 2026 | 0–12 months | 10 months | 83% | On the clock2 months left | |
| The Diner at the End of the GalaxyThe Diner at the End of the Galaxy | Optimistically, we'll be in Early Access for about a year. That should give us enough time to do what we envision doing with version 1.0 of the game. However, we are aware that if the community makes requests that we believe are feasible and will help the game's overall quality, we are open to extending Early Access for a few more months until we finish developing those requests and suggestions.read 10 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 10 months | 82% | On the clock2 months left | |
| XenoHavenXenoHaven | We expect the Early Access period to last around one year. However, the exact timeline may be adjusted based on development progress and player feedback. As new content is added and the community provides suggestions, the direction and pace of the game’s development may evolve. Throughout this process, we will continue to communicate closely with our players.the store says it leaves Early Access on 28 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 10 months | 81% | On the clock2 months left | |
| Dawn ApartDawn Apart | We're aiming for an early access phase of 12-18 months - depending on the input we receive from players. We might extend the early access period based on the development progress, or if we're happy with the game's state, we'll proceed with the official release.read 11 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 14 months | 78% | On the clock4 months left | |
| Dinosaur WorldDinosaur World | Expected to the state of earlyaccess for about 1-2 yearsread 8 Sep 2026 | 12–24 months | 17 months | 69% | On the clock7 months left | |
| StarRuptureStarRupture | We plan to make StarRupture stay in Early Access for about a year from its initial release. Our goal is to provide the best quality of the game to our players. We want to use the Early Access stage to cooperate with the Community on the feedback, fine-tune and polish the gameplay experience and - when we’re certain that we’ve achieved the best version of the game possible - leave Early Access.read 12 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 8 months | 68% | On the clock4 months left | |
| Star BirdsStar Birds | About 1.5 years. We’re currently expecting around 16–18 months.read 13 Sep 2026 | 16–18 months | 12 months | 67% | On the clock6 months left | |
| AdaptoryAdaptory | Right now I’m planning about one year to complete and polish the full version (see the roadmap), but this could change if the scope increases or if we have to revisit any major systems. The plan is to deliver at least three major content updates during this time so you’ll be able to test new systems and share your feedback.read 9 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 8 months | 63% | On the clock4 months left | |
| Vampires: Bloodlord RisingVampires: Bloodlord Rising | Our plan is to stay in Early Access for roughly 12 months to implement all the features we have on our roadmap. This also allows us to incorporate the community feedback and finalize all elements before the full release. Depending on issues like performance optimization or bugfixing beyond the expected allocated time for that, the timing might be changed, though.read 5 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 7 months | 62% | On the clock5 months left | |
| Ground of AcesGround of Aces | We are planning for 1.5 to 2 years of Early Access. As a small indie team, changes and adjustments to the plan are possible.read 5 Sep 2026 | 18–24 months | 14 months | 59% | On the clock10 months left | |
| Annihilate The SpanceAnnihilate The Spance | Until the end of 2027read 8 Sep 2026 | 3 yearsuntil 31 Dec 2027 | 20 months | 55% | On the clock16 months left | |
| Nova RomaNova Roma | We plan to remain in Early Access for a year, but that could change depending on how the design develops with player feedback.read 12 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 6 months | 47% | On the clock6 months left | |
| Faire TradeFaire Trade | We anticipate the game will be in Early Access for approximately 1.5 to 2 years. However, our priority is to ensure the game reaches the level of quality and depth we envision, so this timeline may adjust based on development progress and community feedback.read 12 Sep 2026 | 18–24 months | 11 months | 45% | On the clock13 months left | |
| UNIT 42: Adrift in SpaceUNIT 42: Adrift in Space | The game will be in Early Access for roughly 6 months, given its current state and the planned improvements. This may be extended to one year if the game requires it to reach a satisfactory level for me and players.read 12 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 5 months | 45% | On the clock7 months left | |
| CLOUD DWELLERSCLOUD DWELLERS | The length of our Early Access period will ultimately depend on the feedback we receive from players — your input will help shape how the game evolves. That said, based on our current roadmap, we expect Cloud Dwellers to remain in Early Access for about a year, with the full release planned for mid-2027. We’re fully committed to making sure the game is worth your time and support. Our goal is to keep delivering meaningful updates and genuine enjoyment throughout the development process and beyond.read 8 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 5 months | 41% | On the clock7 months left | |
| Girl IslandGirl Island | Expected to the state of Early Access for about 1-2 yearsread 7 Sep 2026 | 12–24 months | 8 months | 34% | On the clock16 months left | |
| TFC2: The Fertile Crescent 2 - Collapse of The Bronze AgeTFC2: The Fertile Crescent 2 - Collapse of The Bronze Age | 3 months.read 12 Sep 2026 | about 3 months | 4 weeks | 29% | On the clock2 months left | |
| DreamWorld: Sandbox MMODreamWorld: Sandbox MMO | We expect Early Access to last around two years, depending on feedback, development progress, and stability.read 11 Sep 2026 | about 2 years | 6 months | 26% | On the clock18 months left | |
| SpaceSlogSpaceSlog | It's difficult to specify a precise timeline, but we anticipate to be in Early Access until at least February 2028. We have a long list of features and ideas for the game, all of which require time to develop in order to deliver a high quality product. However, we strongly recommend to only purchase the game based solely on its current features rather than on planned future updates, to avoid any potential disappointment.read 11 Sep 2026 | 22 monthsuntil 29 Feb 2028 | 5 months | 22% | On the clock17 months left | |
| Ice AgeIce Age | Expected to the state of earlyaccess for about 1-2 yearsread 9 Sep 2026 | 12–24 months | 4 months | 19% | On the clock20 months left | |
| VEINVEIN | We plan to develop VEIN under Early Access until it’s feature-complete. That means we plan to add NPCs, raiders, settlements, quests, lore, and the full 14x14 kilometer map, alongside hundreds of other features and gameplay and graphical improvements. We estimate that, with full-time work, we can achieve this within roughly 5 years. We intend to work on VEIN indefinitely.read 12 Sep 2026 | about 5 years | 11 months | 18% | On the clock4 years 1 month left | |
| NotmadsNotmads | The current plan is for Notmads to remain in Early Access for around 2 years. This is only an estimate and may change depending on how development progresses. I would rather give the game the time it needs than rush it toward a full release before it is readyread 8 Sep 2026 | about 2 years | 4 months | 17% | On the clock20 months left | |
| Poly Kingdom: SiegePoly Kingdom: Siege | Poly Kingdom: Siege is expected to remain in Early Access for approximately 6 to 12 months. This timeline may change depending on player feedback, the scope of future updates, and the amount of polish needed before the full release. Our goal is not to rush out of Early Access, but to use this period to improve balance, fix issues, expand content, and make sure the game feels stable, complete, and enjoyable before launching as a full release.read 10 Sep 2026 | 6–12 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 12 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 2 months | 15% | On the clock10 months left | |
| The Last FactoryThe Last Factory | I expect The Last Factory to be in Early Access for several months to around a year, depending on development progress and player feedback.read 9 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 2 months | 13% | On the clock10 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 | |
| Valdrax Beyond the RiftValdrax Beyond the Rift | I plan to keep the game in Early Access for approximately 6 to 12 months. This timeline gives me enough room to implement new features, fully test the balance between factions, and act on community feedback without rushing the development process.read 6 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 1 month | 9% | On the clock11 months left | |
| PowerplayPowerplay | From 12 to 18 months in early accessread 7 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 2 months | 8% | On the clock16 months left | |
| plexumplexum | We expect plexum to remain in Early Access for up to 12 months, depending on the pace of development and community feedback.read 6 Sep 2026 | 0–12 months | 4 weeks | 8% | On the clock11 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 | 3 weeks | 7% | On the clock8 months left | |
| LorneLorne | For about a year is the plan, or when we feel the game is a good enough state.read 5 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 3 weeks | 5% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Lugal: Bronze Age Survival GameLugal: Bronze Age Survival Game | 12-18 months. To be completely transparent, I am a solo developer. While polishing existing features, bug fixing, and optimization are planned for the coming months, implementing major new content drops could take a year or even more.read 10 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 4 weeks | 5% | On the clock17 months left | |
| Pax AutocraticaPax Autocratica | We currently expect the game to remain in Early Access for approximately two years. However, this timeframe may change depending on development progress and player feedback. Our priority is to keep improving the game and leave Early Access when we feel it is ready for full release.read 12 Sep 2026 | about 2 years | 1 month | 5% | On the clock23 months left | |
| Craft. Sell. Goblin. Repeat.Craft. Sell. Goblin. Repeat. | The current plan is around one year, though this may change depending on development progress.read 12 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 2 weeks | 3% | 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 11 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 1 week | 2% | 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.