How long did they say Early Access would take, and how long has it been? · 2,813 in Early Access · 3,898 promises read · 1,280 announced, not started
| Year | Games | In Early Access now | Graduated | Median time in EA | Promise read | Overdue | Promise kept |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1,231 | 1,206 | 252% | 2 months | 1,17796% | 46of 1,060 parsed | — |
| 2025 | 498 | 498 | 00% | 13 months | 46894% | 177of 401 parsed | — |
| 2024 | 262 | 262 | 00% | 2 years 1 month | 24895% | 150of 201 parsed | — |
| 2023 | 138 | 138 | 00% | 3 years 2 months | 12893% | 82of 105 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 | 38 | 38 | 00% | 8 years 3 months | 3695% | 28of 29 parsed | — |
| 2017 | 51 | 51 | 00% | 9 years 3 months | 5098% | 28of 30 parsed | — |
| Game | Promise | Promised | Elapsed | Clock | Verdict | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project: MistProject: Mist | We expect Project Mist to remain in Early Access for approximately 6 months, though this may change depending on player feedback and development progress.read 14 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 4 months | 65% | On the clock2 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| The Gold River ProjectThe Gold River Project | We expect The Gold River Project to remain in Early Access for 12–18 months. Our focus is quality over speed; building each season, system, and biome to the standard players deserve. The game will leave Early Access when all planned seasons, storylines, and major gameplay systems are complete.read 14 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 8 months | 43% | On the clock10 months left | |
| Besetmere ForestBesetmere Forest | We're hoping to only remain in early access for a month or two, although we are entirely uncertain.read 10 Sep 2026 | 1–2 months | 3 weeks | 32% | On the clock1 month left | |
| Hillshade FarmHillshade Farm | We estimate around 1 year in Early Access before the full release. We will take the time needed to ensure the game reaches its full potential. The priority is quality, depth, and player satisfaction rather than rushing to a 1.0 launch.read 8 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 4 months | 32% | On the clock8 months left | |
| G-RebelsG-Rebels | We expect to stay in Early Access for roughly six months. That gives us time to gather meaningful feedback, iterate on core systems like performance, controls, combat, and make sure everything, from dogfights to VR, feels tight and polished.read 12 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 2 months | 31% | On the clock4 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 | |
| InfiniumInfinium | It is difficult to accurately predict how long Early Access will last. Based on the progress so far, we expect it to take roughly 12 months. We have a a few more goals we are working towards. We are focusing on delivering quality at a reasonable pace. There is no higher goal than completing Infinium and making it the best game possible.read 8 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 3 months | 25% | On the clock9 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 | |
| 幻兽纪元幻兽纪元 | It lasts approximately 2 to 3 months.read 12 Sep 2026 | 2–3 months | 3 weeks | 19% | On the clock2 months left | |
| TaivalTaival | We plan to have Taival in early access for 6-12 months.read 7 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 2 months | 17% | On the clock10 months 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 | |
| Killer BeanKiller Bean | This game will probably be in Early Access for 2 years. That would give me time to add key features like online co-op and a vast variety of content. I am planning to release major content updates every 2 months during Early Access.read 10 Sep 2026 | 2–24 months | 3 months | 13% | On the clock21 months left | |
| MAK: SurvivalMAK: Survival | Approximately 2 years, due to its a two person operation who drives MAK:Survival, and for that we also have other things to attend to, but our souls are in this game and we work on it everyday.read 10 Sep 2026 | about 2 years | 3 months | 12% | On the clock21 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 | |
| Province: SurosteProvince: Suroste | The game is planned to remain in Early Access for about one year. However, the exact duration may change depending on development progress and community feedback. The full release is currently planned for Summer 2027.read 6 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 1 month | 9% | On the clock11 months left | |
| SandustrySandustry | We plan to remain in Early Access for a year, but that could change depending on how the design develops with player feedback.read 6 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 1 month | 9% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Calling in the ShadowsCalling in the Shadows | 1-2 yearsread 8 Sep 2026 | 12–24 months | 2 months | 9% | On the clock22 months left | |
| Alien ApocalypseAlien Apocalypse | The game will remain in Early Access for 6 to 12 months, until we consider it has reached the level of quality and content we envisioned for the official launch. We are committed to continuously improving the game through regular updates and community feedback until it is ready for version 1.0.read 13 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 4 weeks | 7% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Morhval: RavenglaireMorhval: Ravenglaire | We currently expect Morhval to remain in Early Access for approximately 18 to 24 months. This is an estimate rather than a guaranteed deadline. Morhval is a solo-developed, systems-heavy RPG, and the duration may change depending on technical challenges, community feedback and the scope of the features developed during Early Access.read 9 Sep 2026 | 18–24 months | 1 month | 6% | On the clock23 months left | |
| D.E.C.A.Y.D.E.C.A.Y. | It will take roughly about one year to implement everything I have planned.read 13 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 3 weeks | 5% | On the clock11 months left | |
| Cartoon CrimeCartoon Crime | We currently expect Cartoon Crime to remain in Early Access for around 6 to 12 months. This is only an estimate and may change depending on development progress and player feedback. Our main goal is to take the time needed to improve the game rather than rush toward a specific date.read 14 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 3 weeks | 5% | On the clock11 months left | |
| The Last Disease ZThe Last Disease Z | I expect Early Access to last around 12–18 months. However, this timeframe may change depending on the amount of new features, community feedback, and the actual pace of development. It’s important for me to bring the game to the quality level it deserves.read 11 Sep 2026 | 12–18 months | 4 weeks | 4% | On the clock17 months left | |
| Victor Space ProgramVictor Space Program | I plan to remain in Early Access for around a year, but that could change depending on how the design develops with player feedback.read 9 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 2 weeks | 4% | On the clock11 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 13 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 1 week | 4% | On the clock6 months left | |
| Last DropLast Drop | Our estimation is 1-2 years. This is if we do the current storyline and add few new mechanics. We need to add rest of the cutscenes and quest structures to Main story of the game. We should also add some more places to map, side stories, vehicles and npc-characters. Ofcourse player input and comments affect where do we go with the game also.read 12 Sep 2026 | 12–24 months | 4 weeks | 4% | On the clock23 months left | |
| Until North EndsUntil North Ends | I plan to keep the project in early access for two years after its release.read 12 Sep 2026 | about 2 years | 2 weeks | 2% | On the clock2 years left | |
| Town DiggersTown Diggers | Town Diggers will be in early access for approximately 18 months.read 6 Sep 2026 | about 18 months | 2 weeks | 2% | On the clock18 months left | |
| ScavlandScavland | We anticipate that Scavland will be in Early Access for roughly 12 to 24 months. However, this timeline depends largely on community feedback and the scale of new features and content we prioritize together. Our focus is on quality and ensuring that every aspect of the game meets both our standards and your expectations, rather than rushing toward a release date.read 13 Sep 2026 | 12–24 months | 2 weeks | 1% | On the clock2 years 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.