How long did they say Early Access would take, and how long has it been? · 1,723 in Early Access · 1,925 promises read · 657 announced, not started
| Year | Games | In Early Access now | Graduated | Median time in EA | Promise read | Overdue | Promise kept |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 930 | 922 | 81% | 1 month | 81688% | 22of 745 parsed | — |
| 2025 | 298 | 298 | 00% | 13 months | 24181% | 81of 198 parsed | — |
| 2024 | 156 | 156 | 00% | 2 years | 13385% | 75of 107 parsed | — |
| 2023 | 92 | 92 | 00% | 3 years 2 months | 7885% | 44of 62 parsed | — |
| 2022 | 62 | 62 | 00% | 4 years 2 months | 5284% | 33of 40 parsed | — |
| 2021 | 46 | 46 | 00% | 5 years 2 months | 3678% | 21of 27 parsed | — |
| 2020 | 41 | 41 | 00% | 6 years 1 month | 3688% | 16of 20 parsed | — |
| 2019 | 29 | 29 | 00% | 7 years 3 months | 29100% | 12of 15 parsed | — |
| 2018 | 17 | 17 | 00% | 8 years 1 month | 1588% | 7of 8 parsed | — |
| 2017 | 13 | 13 | 00% | 9 years 3 months | 1292% | 5of 7 parsed | — |
| Game | Promise | Promised | Elapsed | Clock | Verdict | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| StationeersStationeers | Stationeers entered Early Access in late 2017 and has been updated *57* times since! That's approximately 2.19 updates per month, 0.51 updates per week and... 0.072 updates per day! We're committed to delivering these consistent and substantial updates to the game until both we and our community consider the game ready for a v1.0 release.read 9 Sep 2026 | 1 monthuntil 31 Dec 2017 | 8 years 9 months | 10491% | Overdueby 8 years 8 months | |
| Colossal Kaiju Combat™: Kaijuland BattlesColossal Kaiju Combat™: Kaijuland Battles | We anticipate about 3 months of Early Access will be necessary to really tune in the combat & controls.read 9 Sep 2026 | about 3 months | 12 years 1 month | 4832% | Overdueby 11 years 10 months | |
| GunjitsuGunjitsu | The full release date will ultimately depend on player feedback and interest. Ideally we would aim for a late 2015 release.read 9 Sep 2026 | 5 monthsuntil 31 Dec 2015 | 11 years 1 month | 2667% | Overdueby 10 years 8 months | |
| C-WarsC-Wars | We plan on having early access available up until the full release of the game. We hope to have the game released by end of 2015 depending on the feedback we receive.read 8 Sep 2026 | 5 monthsuntil 31 Dec 2015 | 11 years 1 month | 2658% | Overdueby 10 years 8 months | |
| Terra Incognita Chapter One: The DescendantTerra Incognita Chapter One: The Descendant | I originally estimated that Terra would be in early access for around 6 months, this has not been the case for the following reason. The game is now bigger, more content is available and will continue to be added until completion. Rather than just pulling all the content from the broken c# build. I've remade a lot of the artwork, added new story line branches, new towns etcread 8 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 11 years 7 months | 2320% | Overdueby 11 years 1 month | |
| Milfy Cases: Damsels in DistressMilfy Cases: Damsels in Distress | At present, I am developing new episodes on a six to eight week schedule. With the remaining eight episodes to go, completion should finish toward the end of 2024. When Milfy Cases is finished, the game should have over 10 hours of play time. Until then, you can expect an hour or more of new content in each episode as it's released.read 7 Sep 2026 | 1–2 months | 3 years 4 months | 2196% | Overdueby 3 years 2 months | |
| Hua Mulan: A Chinese Learning AdventureHua Mulan: A Chinese Learning Adventure | While we aim to release a new chapter approximately every month to 45 days, the overall duration of Early Access will depend on the feedback we receive and our aspirations for the game's educational and entertainment value. Our goal is to ensure each chapter delivers on quality and engagement, making the timeline flexible to these commitments.read 7 Sep 2026 | about 2 months | 2 years 7 months | 2073% | Overdueby 2 years 6 months | |
| 天月麻雀 (Amatsuki Mahjong)天月麻雀 (Amatsuki Mahjong) | We expect the Early Access phase to last approximately one month. We will focus on collecting player feedback and updating the Early Access version and conducting optimizations based on these suggestions. However, the specific duration may be adjusted according to development progress and player feedback to ensure that the final version achieves the best game quality and meets player expectations.read 8 Sep 2026 | about 1 month | 20 months | 1966% | Overdueby 19 months | |
| You Are Not The HeroYou Are Not The Hero | The game will be in Early Access for at least 2 months, and up to 7 months.read 8 Sep 2026 | 2–7 months | 11 years 3 months | 1932% | Overdueby 10 years 8 months | |
| Ancient Gladiators ( SPQG )Ancient Gladiators ( SPQG ) | Probably 1-3 months.read 6 Sep 2026 | 1–3 months | 4 years 8 months | 1857% | Overdueby 4 years 5 months | |
| XSOverlayXSOverlay | 4-5 months roughly, though because I am a single developer with some help, it may take longer than that. One person can only do so much work!read 6 Sep 2026 | 4–5 months | 6 years 6 months | 1565% | Overdueby 6 years 1 month | |
| ObsideoObsideo | We plan to release the game by the end of 2021, but this could change depending on what feature we decide to add and change throughout development. We don't plan on just finishing the game and never updating it again, we want to build this into something we work on with the community for years to come!read 8 Sep 2026 | 4 monthsuntil 31 Dec 2021 | 5 years | 1511% | Overdueby 4 years 8 months | |
| Hero TeamHero Team | I plan to stay in Early Access for about three months.read 8 Sep 2026 | about 3 months | 3 years 8 months | 1471% | Overdueby 3 years 5 months | |
| Glitch ArenaGlitch Arena | 6 months.read 8 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 7 years 3 months | 1455% | Overdueby 6 years 9 months | |
| Rail AdventuresRail Adventures | Until the end of 2019read 8 Sep 2026 | 6 monthsuntil 31 Dec 2019 | 7 years 3 months | 1444% | Overdueby 6 years 9 months | |
| Master Of PotteryMaster Of Pottery | With the new content I've designed, it depends on the feedback and function requests I plan to get during the 3-6-month preemptive experience period.read 8 Sep 2026 | 3–6 months | 6 years 10 months | 1366% | Overdueby 6 years 4 months | |
| ImmunityImmunity | Less than 6 months.read 6 Sep 2026 | 0–6 months | 6 years 9 months | 1355% | Overdueby 6 years 3 months | |
| Undead OverlordUndead Overlord | The game may be in Early Access for quite some time. That will mostly depend on whether the game’s player community grows large enough to justify the addition of stretch goals, but also on the lives and fortunes of the game’s team of developers. Our goal is to reach a final release state for the game no later than one year after its release on Early Access. In the end, though, it will be done when it’s done. We want to bring the game to you as quickly as we can, but we are still only human (not yet having achieved interdimensional transcendence ourselves).read 9 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 12 years 2 months | 1215% | Overdueby 11 years 2 months | |
| Dynast.ioDynast.io | 3 monthsread 8 Sep 2026 | about 3 months | 3 years | 1212% | Overdueby 2 years 9 months | |
| Alnico SmitheryAlnico Smithery | It's always hard to estimate how long things like this will take. While theoretically I imagine the game could be finished in a month or two's time, realistically things like new ideas, bugs, suggestions, and real life always end up greatly affecting that time-frame. So with that in mind, I *think* Alnico won't spend more than a year in Early Access, but I make no promises.read 7 Sep 2026 | 1–2 months | 22 months | 1124% | Overdueby 20 months | |
| Playground VRPlayground VR | We don't want to have it in early access for a long time. It's hard to predict it accurately at the moment. Our task is to add more funny and playable elements. Thanks to them we want the player not to get bored and to come back to the game. We also want to encourage them to explore new features! In our opinion, we should finish the game in 6 months.the store says it leaves Early Access on 30 Oct 2026 | about 6 months | 5 years 6 months | 1107% | Overdueby 5 years | |
| 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 | 1067% | Overdueby 9 years 8 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 | 1045% | Overdueby 9 years 5 months | |
| Jeklynn HeightsJeklynn Heights | Approximately 1 year.read 8 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 10 years 4 months | 1029% | Overdueby 9 years 4 months | |
| Acro StormAcro Storm | We anticipate the game to remain in Early Access for roughly a year further.read 7 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 9 years 8 months | 970% | Overdueby 8 years 8 months | |
| Creature Clicker - Capture, Train, Ascend!Creature Clicker - Capture, Train, Ascend! | 6 - 12 monthsread 7 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 9 years 4 months | 937% | Overdueby 8 years 4 months | |
| The Forest PrisonThe Forest Prison | We're planning to keep The Forest Prison in Early Access for about six months. The full release of the game is expected to be in Q2 2022.read 6 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 4 years 3 months | 853% | Overdueby 3 years 9 months | |
| SAO Utils: BetaSAO Utils: Beta | Expected within a year.read 6 Sep 2026 | 0–12 months | 8 years 6 months | 849% | Overdueby 7 years 6 months | |
| SailwindSailwind | A very optimistic release target is Christmas 2021. More realistic date would be the first half of 2022.read 5 Sep 2026 | 8 monthsuntil 30 Jun 2022 | 4 years 11 months | 734% | Overdueby 4 years 3 months | |
| The Political ProcessThe Political Process | I will probably keep the game in early access as long as new features are regularly being added to the game. My estimate is approximately one year in early access, but that could change depending on how many suggestions I receive from the community.read 5 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 6 years 10 months | 680% | Overdueby 5 years 10 months | |
| Formula Bwoah: Online Multiplayer RacingFormula Bwoah: Online Multiplayer Racing | The Early Access version will last for around 3-6 months to allow enough time to refine and add new features in the game.read 8 Sep 2026 | 3–6 months | 3 years 4 months | 658% | Overdueby 2 years 10 months | |
| Sunset Drive 1986Sunset Drive 1986 | It is planned to leave Early Access in 2021.read 7 Sep 2026 | 11 monthsuntil 31 Dec 2021 | 5 years 8 months | 615% | Overdueby 4 years 9 months | |
| Storm StrikerStorm Striker | We plan to have an Early Access period of approximately 6 months. However, if the volume of content we intend to develop changes based on user feedback, the duration might extend.read 6 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 2 years 10 months | 563% | Overdueby 2 years 4 months | |
| The Escape: TogetherThe Escape: Together | The development of the content we are planning to implement might take some time. Approximate date is summer 2023.read 7 Sep 2026 | 8 monthsuntil 31 Aug 2023 | 3 years 8 months | 548% | Overdueby 3 years | |
| Moi Moi HeroesMoi Moi Heroes | 6 Monthsread 7 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 2 years 8 months | 541% | Overdueby 2 years 2 months | |
| Under The Ghost MountainUnder The Ghost Mountain | 6 months or 1 yearread 7 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 5 years 4 months | 536% | Overdueby 4 years 4 months | |
| POLYGONPOLYGON | According to our estimates, POLYGON will remain in Early Access until mid-2021.read 5 Sep 2026 | 16 monthsuntil 30 Jun 2021 | 6 years 6 months | 488% | Overdueby 5 years 2 months | |
| MeatgrinderMeatgrinder | Our goal is to complete the game within the next three to six months. However, this timeline may be adjusted based on player feedback and any necessary enhancements to enrich the game experience.read 8 Sep 2026 | 3–6 months | 2 years 5 months | 484% | Overdueby 23 months | |
| PILGRIMPILGRIM | Approximately 5-6 months. The plan is to fine tune the game, add new areas, develop monsters, items and more and then to flesh out end game content.read 5 Sep 2026 | 5–6 months | 2 years 3 months | 455% | Overdueby 21 months | |
| 69 Summon Succubus69 Summon Succubus | It depends on how much content the players want. We offer the game for another 12 months fixing bugs and adding new content.read 8 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 4 years 4 months | 431% | Overdueby 3 years 4 months | |
| Maze DungeonMaze Dungeon | I want to release the game as a complete game as soon as possible. I plan to release version 1.0 within a year.read 8 Sep 2026 | 0–12 months | 4 years 4 months | 431% | Overdueby 3 years 4 months | |
| Marble RaceMarble Race | Summer 2020read 6 Sep 2026 | 23 monthsuntil 31 Aug 2020 | 7 years 11 months | 413% | Overdueby 6 years | |
| SailSail | 8 - 12 months. But we will take as much time as necessary to make SAIL the VR pirate game it needs to be.read 7 Sep 2026 | 8–12 months | 4 years 1 month | 408% | Overdueby 3 years 1 month | |
| OneKindOneKind | We think Early Access will last 6 months. The exact time may vary depending on the development process, but we will be sure to keep you updated throughout the entire process.read 7 Sep 2026 | about 6 months | 2 years | 398% | Overdueby 18 months | |
| Boom SlingersBoom Slingers | We aim to have the full release ready in approximately 6 months to one year.read 7 Sep 2026 | 6–12 months | 4 years | 398% | Overdueby 3 years | |
| RUMBLERUMBLE | Could be up to a year, maybe longer. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be updates within that time, on the contrary. We intend to gradually build the game up to a full release, updating it with individual additions as time goes on.read 7 Sep 2026 | 0–12 months | 4 years | 396% | Overdueby 3 years | |
| There Won't be LightThere Won't be Light | We intend to keep it for 1 year in Early Access.read 7 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 3 years 11 months | 396% | Overdueby 2 years 11 months | |
| Epic Auto TowersEpic Auto Towers | Probably around 4 to 6 months, but it will also depend on whether you and I want to make more Tower Packs. If we want to make more than three Pack, it will probably take longer.read 9 Sep 2026 | 4–6 months | 22 months | 364% | Overdueby 16 months | |
| RPG ArchitectRPG Architect | Update: RPG Architect is planning to release into "1.0" and exit Early Access sometime in 2026! All of the features that were planned have been completed. Along the way, many features that were unexpected (but good) were added to the roadmap. Thus, it has taken substantially longer to get to 1.0. The community's feedback has greatly shaped the direction we ended up going! The "final" thing to do for 1.0 is to build out documentation for offline (and online) use, as well as build three 1.0 games that will let me, the sole developer, double check that the "workflow" is as good as it can be. Both tasks are already underway. But don't worry -- RPG Architect won't stop developing after 1.0 -- there are tons of planned features every year (for the next decade), as long as the community keeps requesting them (and are reasonable). The updates will likely slow down a bit for the sake of providing SOME stability. Original: Based on our current roadmap and progress, RPG Architect is aiming to be in Early Access for one year. The goal is to solidify, harden, and expand all of our existing features, as well as add a few others. Ultimately, it's going to be done when user feedback indicates that it is feature complete and worth the full price tag.read 9 Sep 2026 | about 12 months | 3 years 8 months | 364% | Overdueby 2 years 8 months | |
| SpaceEngineSpaceEngine | Our goal is to leave Early Access within 1-2 years.read 5 Sep 2026 | 12–24 months | 7 years 3 months | 362% | Overdueby 5 years 3 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.