How long did they say Early Access would take, and how long has it been? · 2,852 in Early Access · 3,964 promises read · 1,303 announced, not started
| Year | Games | In Early Access now | Graduated | Median time in EA | Promise read | Overdue | Promise kept |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1,236 | 1,209 | 272% | 2 months | 1,18396% | 45of 1,066 parsed | — |
| 2025 | 505 | 505 | 00% | 13 months | 47594% | 179of 407 parsed | — |
| 2024 | 262 | 262 | 00% | 2 years 1 month | 24895% | 149of 200 parsed | — |
| 2023 | 143 | 143 | 00% | 3 years 2 months | 13393% | 86of 110 parsed | — |
| 2022 | 93 | 93 | 00% | 4 years 2 months | 8692% | 55of 66 parsed | — |
| 2021 | 76 | 76 | 00% | 5 years 2 months | 6991% | 44of 54 parsed | — |
| 2020 | 62 | 62 | 00% | 6 years 2 months | 6198% | 33of 40 parsed | — |
| 2019 | 55 | 55 | 00% | 7 years 3 months | 55100% | 29of 32 parsed | — |
| 2018 | 40 | 40 | 00% | 8 years 3 months | 3895% | 29of 30 parsed | — |
| 2017 | 55 | 55 | 00% | 9 years 3 months | 5498% | 30of 32 parsed | — |
| Game | Promise | Promised | Elapsed | Clock | Verdict | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fallen Tear: The AscensionFallen Tear: The Ascension | We expect Fallen Tear: The Ascension to remain in Early Access through Q4 2026, leading up to the full 1.0 release. Throughout Early Access, we will deliver regular updates focused on polish, optimization, and the addition of new content. Update: Full Release date: September 16, 2026.the store says it leaves Early Access on 23 Sep 2026 | 6 monthsuntil 16 Sep 2026 | 6 months | 100% | On the clockDue this month | |
| HYPNOSHYPNOS | 4 to 5 month ! We’ll publish the full Early Access roadmap here, but rest assured that we’ve planned for a fairly short duration: Four to five months maximum. This will allow us to complete the content for the final stages of this project, while also giving us time to take on board all the feedback we hope to receive during this period. There will already be plenty to keep you occupied for hours in these dreamlike lands that we are crafting with passion.read 14 Sep 2026 | 4–5 months | 4 months | 87% | On the clockDue this month | |
| Backrooms Game CreatorBackrooms Game Creator | Till Oct 2026read 8 Sep 2026 | 5 monthsuntil 31 Oct 2026 | 4 months | 72% | On the clock1 month left | |
| Reborn: The Evil BeingReborn: The Evil Being | The current plan is for Reborn: The Evil Being to remain in Early Access for around 3-4 months before the Version 1.0 release. This may slightly change depending on feedback, balancing, optimization, and overall polish during development.read 8 Sep 2026 | 3–4 months | 3 months | 70% | On the clock1 month left | |
| Dig IslandDig Island | The early access period will probably less than a year. The game will develop even more during this time as more features and content are included.read 13 Sep 2026 | 0–12 months | 7 months | 62% | On the clock5 months left | |
| Voodoo Fishin'Voodoo Fishin' | We expect the game to remain in Early Access until Spooky Season 2026. This timeframe allows us to gather player feedback, iterate on core systems, and grow the game at a sustainable pace as we work toward the full release.the store says it leaves Early Access on 13 Oct 2026 | 9 monthsuntil 31 Dec 2026 | 6 months | 61% | On the clock3 months left | |
| Away From LifeAway From Life | We are planning a full release of the game for end 2026.read 14 Sep 2026 | 8 monthsuntil 31 Dec 2026 | 5 months | 60% | On the clock3 months left | |
| SELINISELINI | I plan for a relatively short Early Access period, currently estimated at around 8 to 12 months. The primary purpose is to test, tune and polish the game with player feedback before the full release. This estimated timeframe is based on the current development plan but it may change as I work with the community.read 6 Sep 2026 | 8–12 months | 7 months | 59% | On the clock5 months left | |
| Rise of PiracyRise of Piracy | The goal is to remain in Early Access for 12 months, but this will depend on the feedback that comes in from players and how the scope may change as a result.read 6 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 7 months | 56% | On the clock5 months left | |
| Tiny VikingsTiny Vikings | We plan to stay in Early Access for approximately one year. Since the scope of the full release version may change based on player feedback, this period may extend somewhat.read 12 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 7 months | 54% | On the clock5 months left | |
| Bigfoot HuntingBigfoot Hunting | We plan to remain in Early Access for roughly six to nine months to polish mechanics, expand forest zones, introduce new traps, and balance combat and survival systems.read 8 Sep 2026 | 6–9 months | 5 months | 54% | On the clock4 months left | |
| The Legend of KhiimoriThe Legend of Khiimori | We expect The Legend of Khiimori to be in Early Access for approximately 12 months. We cannot provide you with an exact date yet, because our motto is “quality over speed,” and we simply do not yet know when the game will meet our quality standards to ensure a final release. Early Access allows us to expand the world, polish gameplay systems, and integrate community-driven improvements. We’ll keep players updated regularly and adjust the timeline with more specific dates as we progress.read 12 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 6 months | 54% | On the clock6 months left | |
| DYSPLACEDDYSPLACED | We estimate the early-access period lasts between 9-12 months starting in March 2026.read 7 Sep 2026 | 9–12 months | 6 months | 53% | On the clock6 months left | |
| Parking Garage SimulatorParking Garage Simulator | We plan to keep the game in Early Access for approximately six to twelve months, depending on the feedback we receive and the scope of additional features we decide to implement.read 14 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 6 months | 53% | On the clock6 months left | |
| Ranger’s Path: National Park SimulatorRanger’s Path: National Park Simulator | We are currently planning on staying in Early Access for about a year. However, development will continue as long as it’s needed to deliver the experience we and the community envision.read 12 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 6 months | 52% | On the clock6 months left | |
| EONIA RevelationsEONIA Revelations | We expect EONIA REVELATIONS to remain in Early Access for roughly twelve to fifteen months. Updates will arrive almost daily to keep the world growing, breathing, and steadily moving forward.read 9 Sep 2026 | 12–15 months | 6 months | 41% | On the clock9 months left | |
| Desolation SeedDesolation Seed | We anticipate the game remaining in Early Access for approximately 4–6 monthsread 8 Sep 2026 | 4–6 months | 2 months | 39% | On the clock4 months left | |
| Mycelium: The Silent ContractMycelium: The Silent Contract | It's hard to plan at this point, but at this pace I hope 1 year would be enough.read 12 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 5 months | 39% | On the clock7 months left | |
| Hazard LevelsHazard Levels | We expect Hazard Levels to be in Early Access for around 6–12 months. The exact timing will depend on player feedback and how the game develops over that period.read 12 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 5 months | 38% | On the clock7 months left | |
| RangedrifterRangedrifter | I will release the game from Early Access in about twelve months, which gives me enough time to implement the systems, locations, encounters, and regions needed for it to be a complete game from start to finish.read 12 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 4 months | 32% | On the clock8 months left | |
| Red Tears: AngolaRed Tears: Angola | Atleast 1 year. I plan to release patches and updates to the game as much as I can (Roughly every week or few months).read 7 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 4 months | 30% | On the clock8 months left | |
| Lugh WorldLugh World | We expect Lugh World to remain in Early Access for 12–18 months as we refine content, balancing, and functionalities, but this timeline may change depending on development progress.read 13 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 5 months | 29% | On the clock13 months left | |
| Aegis Force: The Scorian WarAegis Force: The Scorian War | We plan to release new content to play every 4-8 weeks until the game is complete and fully polished. We anticipate the full (v1.0) version to release no more than a year after early access begins.read 13 Sep 2026 | 1–2 months | 2 weeks | 27% | On the clock1 month left | |
| MudventureMudventure | We plan to remain in Early Access for approximately 6 to 12 months. However, this schedule may change depending on player feedback and the development progress of additional contents to ensure the best possible experience.read 14 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 3 months | 27% | On the clock9 months left | |
| IronWoodIronWood | We're planning on fully releasing IronWood sometime in early 2027. We plan to focus on other games and projects while we're continually updating IronWood, but at the moment our deadline for releasing IronWood out of Early Access will take place in either March or April of 2027, though of course it could possibly take more or less time depending on how the development process goes.read 13 Sep 2026 | 10 monthsuntil 30 Apr 2027 | 3 months | 27% | On the clock7 months left | |
| STARSEEKER: Astroneer ExpeditionsSTARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions | Although it is hard to give a solid date, based on the goals we have, we estimate that the campaign will last around 1 year. We want to work sustainably while leaving enough time to respond to player feedback.read 12 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 3 months | 26% | On the clock9 months left | |
| 月之冕月之冕 | We currently expect Moon Corona to remain in Early Access for approximately 6 months. This is our current development estimate and may change as development progresses and community feedback is incorporated. Our goal is to continue improving the game while expanding its content at a steady pace.read 13 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 2 months | 25% | On the clock4 months left | |
| The Good Dog: Chasing ShadowsThe Good Dog: Chasing Shadows | By current estimates, approximately a year and a half, give or take a few months. The game will remain in Early Access until the Story Mode is completed. As of now, the plan is to finish this mode by next summer.read 12 Sep 2026 | about 18 months | 4 months | 24% | On the clock14 months left | |
| Backrooms Lost UnitBackrooms Lost Unit | We expect Backrooms Lost Unit to remain in Early Access for roughly 12 to 16 months. This timeframe may change depending on development progress, player feedback, and testing results. As the project is primarily developed by a solo developer, timelines may shift as features are tested and refined. Our goal during Early Access is to gradually expand the game’s content and improve stability while shaping the experience alongside the community.read 8 Sep 2026 | 12–16 months | 4 months | 24% | On the clock12 months left | |
| Eyes Of The ElderWoodEyes Of The ElderWood | We plan to release the game around Halloween 2026. We believe about a year is the optimal timeframe to finish Eyes of The ElderWood, and we want to avoid falling into “eternal Early Access,” especially since we already have plans for our next project.read 8 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 3 months | 22% | On the clock9 months left | |
| 仙之气仙之气 | Approximately 12-18 months.read 10 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 4 months | 21% | On the clock14 months left | |
| World Climate LabWorld Climate Lab | We plan for an Early Access period of roughly six months, though this may be adjusted as we respond to community feedback and the scope of features players request.read 6 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 1 month | 21% | On the clock5 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 | 17% | On the clock2 months left | |
| Funnel RunnersFunnel Runners | Approximately 1 year.read 13 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 2 months | 17% | 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 | 16% | 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 14 Sep 2026 | 24–30 months | 5 months | 15% | On the clock2 years 1 month 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 | |
| File SurferFile Surfer | We estimate File Surfer will be in Early Access for approximately 6 to 12 months. Our core functionality: dual-pane navigation, keyboard-centric workflow, file previews, native Windows integration, and custom keybindings. The product is already solid and usable daily. The remaining work focuses on advanced features (plugin support, tabs, cloud drives), further performance tuning on edge-case hardware, and incorporating community feedback into the final release.read 13 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 2 months | 15% | On the clock10 months left | |
| VoxelMancyVoxelMancy | Roughly 12-24 months.read 14 Sep 2026 | 12–24 months | 4 months | 15% | On the clock20 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 12 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 4 weeks | 15% | On the clock5 months left | |
| CORECORE | I am expecting for the game to be done and out of early access in 2027~ and if not definitely 2028.read 13 Sep 2026 | 2 years 8 monthsuntil 31 Dec 2028 | 4 months | 14% | On the clock2 years 4 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 | 13% | 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 | 13% | On the clock16 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 | |
| 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 14 Sep 2026 | 24–36 months | 4 months | 11% | On the clock2 years 8 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 | 11% | 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 | 11% | 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 14 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 1 month | 10% | On the clock11 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 |
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.