How long did they say Early Access would take, and how long has it been? · 2,825 in Early Access · 3,918 promises read · 1,287 announced, not started
| Year | Games | In Early Access now | Graduated | Median time in EA | Promise read | Overdue | Promise kept |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1,235 | 1,210 | 252% | 2 months | 1,18296% | 46of 1,065 parsed | — |
| 2025 | 500 | 500 | 00% | 13 months | 47094% | 176of 402 parsed | — |
| 2024 | 262 | 262 | 00% | 2 years 1 month | 24895% | 149of 201 parsed | — |
| 2023 | 139 | 139 | 00% | 3 years 2 months | 12993% | 83of 106 parsed | — |
| 2022 | 93 | 93 | 00% | 4 years 2 months | 8692% | 55of 66 parsed | — |
| 2021 | 75 | 75 | 00% | 5 years 2 months | 6891% | 43of 53 parsed | — |
| 2020 | 62 | 62 | 00% | 6 years 2 months | 6198% | 33of 40 parsed | — |
| 2019 | 53 | 53 | 00% | 7 years 3 months | 53100% | 27of 30 parsed | — |
| 2018 | 40 | 40 | 00% | 8 years 3 months | 3895% | 29of 30 parsed | — |
| 2017 | 51 | 51 | 00% | 9 years 3 months | 5098% | 28of 30 parsed | — |
| Game | Promise | Promised | Elapsed | Clock | Verdict | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Submarine Homesick BluesSubmarine Homesick Blues | We expect the game to remain in Early Access for approximately 4 to 6 months, depending on development progress and community feedback. During this time, we will expand content, improve game balance, and optimize performance before the full release.read 13 Sep 2026 | 4–6 months | 6 months | 98% | On the clockDue this month | |
| STARIO: Haven TowerSTARIO: Haven Tower | The estimated duration of Early Access is 6-12 months. We'll try to implement as many ideas as possible to make the gameplay experience satisfying.read 12 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 12 months | 97% | On the clockDue this month | |
| Stocks: Main Force SimulatorStocks: Main Force Simulator | Expected to last 6 to 12 months. The period may be extended if new features are added to ensure content quality.read 9 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 9 months | 76% | On the clock3 months left | |
| Beat the HeatBeat the Heat | Beat the Heat will launch in Early Access at the end of November 2022, and the full version is expected to be released on 2027.read 13 Sep 2026 | 5 years 1 monthuntil 31 Dec 2027 | 3 years 9 months | 75% | On the clock16 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 | |
| CrystantCrystant | We expect that several more months will be required for overall optimization and content expansion. The actual timeline will be dynamically adjusted based on player feedback and overall experience evaluations. Once the game’s content and quality meet our established standards and final preparations are complete, the full release will be launched, and we will continue to invest in ongoing updates and optimizations to ensure a stable and high-quality gameplay experience.the store says it leaves Early Access on 21 Sep 2026 | 3–9 months | 5 months | 54% | On the clock4 months left | |
| OrbitaOrbita | We expect Orbita to remain in Early Access for around 6 to 12 months, depending on development progress and community feedback. The goal is not to rush to a “finished” state, but to iterate and expand the game’s systems until they feel complete and satisfying.read 12 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 6 months | 51% | On the clock6 months left | |
| Werner Waffenwerke: Arms TycoonWerner Waffenwerke: Arms Tycoon | I currently plan to continue developing Werner Waffenwerke: Arms Tycoon in Early Access for approximately one to two years. However, this timeframe is not a fixed commitment. As a solo developer, I want to take the time necessary to meaningfully improve existing systems and implement new content at a level of quality I am satisfied with.read 14 Sep 2026 | 12–24 months | 11 months | 47% | 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 | 46% | On the clock7 months left | |
| LoopboundLoopbound | The game is expected to remain in Early Access for a period of nine months to one year.read 8 Sep 2026 | 9–12 months | 4 months | 30% | On the clock8 months left | |
| Kaiju HarvestKaiju Harvest | We expect Kaiju Harvest to remain in Early Access for approximately three months. Internally, we are currently aiming to leave Early Access around November 11, 2026. However, this is an approximate target and may shift slightly depending on development progress, player feedback, and the amount of additional polishing needed before the full release.read 13 Sep 2026 | about 3 months | 4 weeks | 29% | On the clock2 months left | |
| TerrafactorTerrafactor | Any specific timeline would just be a guess, so here's my thought process instead - I'm going to push the game's design and content as far as I'm able to, with the help of player feedback. Once the game is in a state where I'm happy with it, then it'll 1.0 - that could mean anywhere from a few months to a year or two. It all depends on player feedback and how far I can push the game's design.read 14 Sep 2026 | 12–24 months | 5 months | 19% | On the clock19 months left | |
| Crypto Trading SimulatorCrypto Trading Simulator | We expect Early Access to last approximately 3 to 6 months. This gives us enough time to fully develop the trading bot mechanics, implement community requested features, and finalize the broader economic systems based on player input.read 6 Sep 2026 | 3–6 months | 1 month | 19% | On the clock5 months left | |
| Territory Control 2Territory Control 2 | Most likely 2–3 years. It’s hard to say precisely, since the game’s content and development are very fluid and adaptive, and the lore is continuously evolving. The plan is to leave Early Access within a few years.read 14 Sep 2026 | 24–36 months | 7 months | 19% | On the clock2 years 5 months left | |
| Cultivation IdleCultivation Idle | We expect the Early Access period to last approximately 6 to 12 months. The exact duration may change depending on development progress, player feedback, and the overall state of the game content. We will prioritize making sure the core gameplay, balance, and main content experience reach a more stable state before leaving Early Access.read 14 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 2 months | 17% | On the clock10 months left | |
| PROFITS 2167: Planetary Resource Optimization & Freight Infrastructure Technician SimulatorPROFITS 2167: Planetary Resource Optimization & Freight Infrastructure Technician Simulator | Around 6 months. Our current goal is to leave Early Access in early 2027.read 10 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 4 weeks | 16% | On the clock5 months left | |
| Evitania Online - Idle RPGEvitania Online - Idle RPG | We expect the game to remain in Early Access for roughly 2–3 years, depending on development progress and community feedback. We have ambitious plans for the game, and we want to take the time needed to properly expand and refine the experience. Early Access will end when both our team and the community feel the game is ready for a full release.read 12 Sep 2026 | 24–36 months | 5 months | 15% | On the clock2 years 7 months left | |
| Industrial GarbageIndustrial Garbage | We expect Industrial Garbage to remain in Early Access for approximately six months. We feel this gives us enough time to develop the additional content we have planned while also responding to player feedback, without putting unnecessary pressure on ourselves to rush updates or overwork. This timeframe may change depending on the scope of new features and feedback we receive throughout Early Access.read 6 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 4 weeks | 14% | On the clock5 months left | |
| ClickonomyClickonomy | Time and work are key to developing this game. I want to provide more content and core gameplay mechanics over time, such as seasons and some others major additions to the already rich game. This early access will probably last for 6 to 8 months as I'll publish the 1.0 release when I feel like the game is ready!read 6 Sep 2026 | 6–8 months | 4 weeks | 10% | On the clock7 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 | |
| Drink Factory SimulatorDrink Factory Simulator | We plan for the Early Access period to last roughly 6 to 12 months. This may change depending on community feedback and how quickly new content is developed. Our goal is to get the game ready for full release without rushing it.read 9 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 1 month | 9% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Family Office SimulatorFamily Office Simulator | We currently expect Family Office Simulator to remain in Early Access for approximately 12 to 18 months. This may change depending on player feedback, balance needs, and the amount of polish and expansion needed before the full release.read 13 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 2 months | 9% | On the clock16 months left | |
| PowerplayPowerplay | From 12 to 18 months in early accessread 13 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 2 months | 9% | 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 | 1 month | 8% | On the clock11 months left | |
| 137137 | 137 will be in Early Access for approximately 3-6 months.read 6 Sep 2026 | 3–6 months | 2 weeks | 8% | On the clock6 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 | 4 weeks | 8% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Union Of RivalsUnion Of Rivals | We plan to stay in Early Access for around a year, though that may change as the design evolves with player feedback. We'd rather adapt the schedule than ship something unfinished.read 9 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 3 weeks | 6% | On the clock11 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 14 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 2 weeks | 3% | 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.