How long did they say Early Access would take, and how long has it been? · 2,658 in Early Access · 3,662 promises read · 1,216 announced, not started
| Year | Games | In Early Access now | Graduated | Median time in EA | Promise read | Overdue | Promise kept |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1,196 | 1,171 | 252% | 2 months | 1,14095% | 43of 1,026 parsed | — |
| 2025 | 469 | 469 | 00% | 13 months | 43593% | 160of 371 parsed | — |
| 2024 | 250 | 250 | 00% | 2 years 1 month | 23594% | 141of 191 parsed | — |
| 2023 | 130 | 130 | 00% | 3 years 2 months | 12092% | 75of 98 parsed | — |
| 2022 | 88 | 88 | 00% | 4 years 2 months | 8192% | 52of 62 parsed | — |
| 2021 | 71 | 71 | 00% | 5 years 2 months | 6490% | 40of 49 parsed | — |
| 2020 | 56 | 56 | 00% | 6 years 2 months | 5598% | 30of 37 parsed | — |
| 2019 | 53 | 53 | 00% | 7 years 3 months | 53100% | 27of 30 parsed | — |
| 2018 | 32 | 32 | 00% | 8 years 2 months | 3094% | 22of 23 parsed | — |
| 2017 | 43 | 43 | 00% | 9 years 2 months | 4298% | 22of 24 parsed | — |
| Game | Promise | Promised | Elapsed | Clock | Verdict | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inside The CodeInside The Code | A month, more or less. That's enough time to add all the new features I'm working on, but most important it's the time for you to give me your opinions.read 13 Sep 2026 | about 1 month | 10 years 8 months | 12819% | Overdueby 10 years 7 months | |
| Minigolf VRMinigolf VR | This game is planned to be fully completed by the end of June, give or take a month.read 12 Sep 2026 | about 1 month | 10 years 5 months | 12550% | Overdueby 10 years 4 months | |
| a Family of Grave Diggersa Family of Grave Diggers | I plan to have the game in Early Access for about two months, maybe three.read 12 Sep 2026 | about 2 months | 10 years 8 months | 6410% | Overdueby 10 years 6 months | |
| SpellKnightsSpellKnights | This video game will stay in early access about two months.read 13 Sep 2026 | about 2 months | 10 years 2 months | 6102% | Overdueby 10 years | |
| DeathCrankDeathCrank | 2 months.read 12 Sep 2026 | about 2 months | 9 years 9 months | 5849% | Overdueby 9 years 7 months | |
| Dead TrailZDead TrailZ | Three months if we are not seeing major changes.read 11 Sep 2026 | about 3 months | 10 years 8 months | 4273% | Overdueby 10 years 5 months | |
| Worlds of Chaos: InvasionWorlds of Chaos: Invasion | The game is almost finished, and you can play the game from start to finish. It has been in early access for a bit more than two years and I've made almost all of the things I wanted to do. I would say 2-3 months from the moment I write this (end of august 2018), but game development is really tricky and very hard to predict, so I make no promise there. It's been in development more time that it was supposed to, but the more time is invested on the game, the better it becomes.read 13 Sep 2026 | 2–3 months | 10 years 7 months | 4237% | Overdueby 10 years 4 months | |
| Zombie GotchiZombie Gotchi | It's difficult for us to give a solid release date, but we plan to release the full version in Q2 2016.read 12 Sep 2026 | 3 monthsuntil 30 Jun 2016 | 10 years 6 months | 4191% | Overdueby 10 years 3 months | |
| Pandora`s roomPandora`s room | About 3 monthsread 13 Sep 2026 | about 3 months | 10 years 6 months | 4184% | Overdueby 10 years 3 months | |
| Dawn of the Robot EmpireDawn of the Robot Empire | 2-3 months time.read 13 Sep 2026 | 2–3 months | 10 years 5 months | 4170% | Overdueby 10 years 2 months | |
| Battleships at Dawn!Battleships at Dawn! | 3 monthsread 13 Sep 2026 | about 3 months | 10 years 2 months | 4077% | Overdueby 9 years 11 months | |
| BreakroomBreakroom | Until January 2017 is the current plan.read 13 Sep 2026 | 3 monthsuntil 31 Jan 2017 | 9 years 10 months | 3947% | Overdueby 9 years 7 months | |
| Tyrfing Cycle |Vanilla|Tyrfing Cycle |Vanilla| | We are approx 120 days from Full release. (As of Early Access Release) EST Release Date - June 2016read 13 Sep 2026 | about 4 months | 10 years 5 months | 3204% | Overdueby 10 years 1 month | |
| Fire With Fire Tower Attack and DefenseFire With Fire Tower Attack and Defense | We expect to remain in Early Access for approximately two to four months depending on player feedback on the size and balance of the tower / unit roster. Full release is expected mid 2016read 12 Sep 2026 | 2–4 months | 10 years 6 months | 3138% | Overdueby 10 years 2 months | |
| Babel: Tower to the GodsBabel: Tower to the Gods | We plan on releasing the full and complete version of Babel within roughly the space of 2-4 months.read 13 Sep 2026 | 2–4 months | 10 years 5 months | 3133% | Overdueby 10 years 1 month | |
| Welkin RoadWelkin Road | It is difficult to predict how long the new features will take to develop, but we estimate the game to stay in Early Access for up to 4 months.read 13 Sep 2026 | 0–4 months | 10 years 5 months | 3126% | Overdueby 10 years 1 month | |
| The RebelThe Rebel | About 3-4 months.read 13 Sep 2026 | 3–4 months | 10 years 2 months | 3050% | Overdueby 9 years 10 months | |
| Silver KnightSilver Knight | I'm hoping to finish it in 6 months.read 13 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 10 years 8 months | 2133% | Overdueby 10 years 2 months | |
| Garbage DayGarbage Day | It could take anywhere up to six months, depending on the scope of the content that will be added to the game.read 11 Sep 2026 | 0–6 months | 10 years 8 months | 2131% | Overdueby 10 years 2 months | |
| Cyber Team ManagerCyber Team Manager | From 3 till 6 months until the end of the developments, plus from 1 till 3 month for bug tests and localization's.read 12 Sep 2026 | 3–6 months | 10 years 8 months | 2131% | Overdueby 10 years 2 months | |
| RivalryRivalry | 6 monthsread 13 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 10 years 8 months | 2129% | Overdueby 10 years 2 months | |
| EclipsedEclipsed | This game will be in early access for a few months, depending on the number of games sold. low number of sale means I could not support myself to fully develop the game. High number of sales means I could care less about paying the bills and have them paid for without a worry about supporting myself.read 13 Sep 2026 | 3–6 months | 10 years 7 months | 2115% | Overdueby 10 years 1 month | |
| AsteroidsHDAsteroidsHD | 5-6 Monthsread 13 Sep 2026 | 5–6 months | 10 years 6 months | 2106% | Overdueby 10 years | |
| VIRTUAnimatorVIRTUAnimator | VIRTUAnimator will remain in Early Access for roughly 6 months, depending on the changes and updates required.read 13 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 10 years 4 months | 2070% | Overdueby 9 years 10 months | |
| TribeQuest: Red KillerTribeQuest: Red Killer | If things go really well and it has success, we will get some added funds from our users and that will speed up our development process. If things go slow, we will continue on our initial plan and we will keep the game in early access for roughly six months.read 12 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 10 years 4 months | 2065% | Overdueby 9 years 10 months | |
| ASTROKILLASTROKILL | The game should be released 3-6 months after beginning Early Access. So far, development on ASTROKILL has been rapid. With just 8 months of total development time, we were ready to show it at gaming conventions. Since then, the game has progressed so much further, and we're confident we can release it after a few months of Early Access.read 11 Sep 2026 | 3–6 months | 10 years 4 months | 2060% | Overdueby 9 years 10 months | |
| Smash Pixel RacingSmash Pixel Racing | We do not currently have a set release date but we are looking at around 6 months of Early Access depending on how well the game is received, as the scope of the extra content and features could extend further. Final release will be most likely be late 2016, ideally before the holidays, however I may extend to early 2017.read 10 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 10 years 3 months | 2047% | Overdueby 9 years 9 months | |
| Leviathan: the Cargo — Ongoing seriesLeviathan: the Cargo — Ongoing series | We plan to release the full version during Christmas 2016.read 12 Sep 2026 | 6 monthsuntil 31 Dec 2016 | 10 years 2 months | 2036% | Overdueby 9 years 8 months | |
| RoShamBoRoShamBo | We expect the game to be in Early Access for about 6 months. That's the time we need to finish the product.read 12 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 10 years 2 months | 2034% | Overdueby 9 years 8 months | |
| Atomic Space CommandAtomic Space Command | We expect the game to be in Early Access for three to six months. But as we all know, no battle plan survives contact with the enemy!read 13 Sep 2026 | 3–6 months | 9 years 11 months | 1984% | Overdueby 9 years 5 months | |
| Street Posse ShowdownStreet Posse Showdown | About six months. After working on this game for so long, I think I can finish the rest of the game content in within six months.read 13 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 9 years 10 months | 1962% | Overdueby 9 years 4 months | |
| Stratus: Battle For The SkyStratus: Battle For The Sky | We aim to have Early access open for six months as we are finalizing remaining content then move towards release of main steam release.read 12 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 9 years 9 months | 1956% | Overdueby 9 years 3 months | |
| vrAMPvrAMP | We are expecting to have the first full release by Christmas 2016.read 13 Sep 2026 | 7 monthsuntil 25 Dec 2016 | 10 years 4 months | 1766% | Overdueby 9 years 9 months | |
| XLRXLR | Our target for a full release is in 6-8 months.read 13 Sep 2026 | 6–8 months | 10 years 5 months | 1566% | Overdueby 9 years 9 months | |
| Polynomial 2 - Universe of the MusicPolynomial 2 - Universe of the Music | We hope to release within 8 months, but we want to first ensure that we have addressed customer feedback.read 11 Sep 2026 | 0–8 months | 10 years 3 months | 1543% | Overdueby 9 years 7 months | |
| At the Mountains of MadnessAt the Mountains of Madness | We intend to have the project completed by 2017; Between 6 and 9 months.read 12 Sep 2026 | 6–9 months | 10 years 6 months | 1396% | Overdueby 9 years 9 months | |
| The ContactThe Contact | Late 2016read 12 Sep 2026 | 9 monthsuntil 31 Dec 2016 | 10 years 5 months | 1390% | Overdueby 9 years 8 months | |
| Star Rangers™ XEStar Rangers™ XE | We are guessing approximately 9 months should do it.read 10 Sep 2026 | about 9 months | 10 years 2 months | 1359% | Overdueby 9 years 5 months | |
| Feed and Grow: FishFeed and Grow: Fish | One year. During this time we want to test the specific new additions and focus on improving them.read 5 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 10 years 8 months | 1068% | Overdueby 9 years 8 months | |
| Sword 'N' BoardSword 'N' Board | I expect the game to be in early access no longer than a year. I have a clear roadmap of the development for the game, which sets specific milestones for development month to month. Come the end of February I plan on having the entire "Overworld" of Sword 'N' Board finished, along with all of its subsequent puzzles. Come the end of March I also hope to have 3 of the 8 dungeons finished, complete with its puzzles and progression taken care of. And each of the following months are already planned in explicit detail.read 13 Sep 2026 | 0–12 months | 10 years 8 months | 1063% | Overdueby 9 years 8 months | |
| FlobeFlobe | Much of that usually depends on the players feedback which oftentimes helps us to decide how much more to put into the game. Having said that....we aim to be in Early Access no more than a year.read 13 Sep 2026 | 0–12 months | 10 years 7 months | 1056% | Overdueby 9 years 7 months | |
| Just DeathJust Death | I'm anticipating the product being in the Early Access phase for 6-12 months. The actual answer is "as long as it takes" for the product to be fun, and to achieve the goals I've set for it, and those may change based on community feedback.read 10 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 10 years 7 months | 1055% | Overdueby 9 years 7 months | |
| Steno ArcadeSteno Arcade | We expect Steno Arcade to be in Early Access for approximately 9-12 months.read 7 Sep 2026 | 9–12 months | 10 years 5 months | 1046% | Overdueby 9 years 5 months | |
| Soviet CitySoviet City | The Soviet revolution has to come ASAP. Our estimates are about 6 to 12 months.read 13 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 10 years 5 months | 1046% | Overdueby 9 years 5 months | |
| Grenade MadnessGrenade Madness | We expect Grenade Madness to be in development as an Early Access for one year presumably. The final release should come sometime in Q1 2017.read 13 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 10 years 5 months | 1041% | Overdueby 9 years 5 months | |
| Snooker Nation ChampionshipSnooker Nation Championship | We're hoping to be in early access for no longer than a year. We will follow the communities lead on when we feel its ready for a full releaseread 9 Sep 2026 | 0–12 months | 10 years 5 months | 1038% | Overdueby 9 years 5 months | |
| Bunny BashBunny Bash | We're aiming to work through Early Access in one year, however we feel that the community could, and should, drive this as well. If some great ideas come through the community that might take a little longer, then we'll push this date and update the expected date. If the community feels that this game is "full" and complete earlier than expected then the reverse is true.read 10 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 10 years 5 months | 1038% | Overdueby 9 years 5 months | |
| Observatory: A VR Variety PackObservatory: A VR Variety Pack | About a year, if all goes to plan. ...But then, it's game dev, so I don't actually know. Sorry.read 12 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 10 years 4 months | 1034% | Overdueby 9 years 4 months | |
| Jeklynn HeightsJeklynn Heights | Approximately 1 year.read 8 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 10 years 4 months | 1030% | Overdueby 9 years 4 months | |
| The HinterLandsThe HinterLands | The HinterLands will stay in early access until the initial experience is complete. This includes quests, multiple biomes, many bosses, NPC's, scripted events, several multiplayer game modes, and modding tools. Once the game can stand on its own, I'll be able to work on additional content: new biomes /npcs/bosses/ quests. So it depends on how much interest there is in the game. If a lot of people are interested, it could be finished in a year. If there aren't as many, it could take several years (it's mainly just me working on the project).read 13 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 10 years 4 months | 1030% | Overdueby 9 years 4 months |
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.