A release that is still in development
Early Access describes a publicly available game that is still being developed. On Steam, the program is intended for playable unfinished builds, with the current state and planned development explained to players. It is different from a pre-purchase, which can grant access only at a future date. Valve also distinguishes Early Access from Advance Access, an earlier launch window attached to certain release packages.
These distinctions matter in a reference database. A project announcement, a playable demonstration, and a paid unfinished release represent different events. The words used on a developer’s own site may not match a store’s formal program, so a record should identify the release and the context rather than treating every use of early as the same status.
Release status and development status
Adult Game Index records release status separately from development status. Released describes an edition’s publication state; active, paused, discontinued, and unknown describe what is verified about ongoing development. A fully released game can continue receiving updates. A playable unfinished game can remain available after development stops.
A long gap between announcements does not, by itself, establish cancellation. Similarly, a roadmap is evidence of an intention, not proof that its features have shipped. A useful update record identifies a published change and its applicable edition. When a developer explicitly announces a pause or end to development, that statement should be recorded with its date and scope.
Demos and previews have their own scope
A demo usually presents a limited portion of a game. Steam associates demos with their full games while giving demos their own application records. The presence of a demo therefore does not establish that the full game has been released, or that its platforms, languages, and requirements are identical to the demonstration’s.
A Coming Soon store page is also not evidence that a public build exists. Steam’s release options distinguish that visible announcement stage from an Early Access or full release. In an encyclopedia entry, the edition table should make those differences explicit without replacing a missing release date with the date on which a page first appeared.
Read dates and promises in context
An unfinished release can have at least two important dates: when it first became publicly available in that form, and when a later full release occurred. Preserve both when they are known. A projected completion month belongs with an attributed development plan, not in a field that states a completed release as fact.
For changing projects, the most helpful overview describes what the documented release contains now and distinguishes it from announced additions. It should not imply that an Early Access label guarantees completion, a particular update schedule, save compatibility, or a future platform. Those are separate claims requiring current evidence from the responsible developer or publisher.
References
- Early Access. Valve / Steamworks Documentation.
- Demos. Valve / Steamworks Documentation.
- Release Options. Valve / Steamworks Documentation.