With more and more AAA publishers putting up special editions of games you can pay extra for, to play a few days before the main release, Valve has formally made "Advanced Access" a thing on Steam.
You know the drill, you've seen it right? "Buy the Deluxe Edition or the Special Edition, and you get to play 3 days before everyone else!" something to that effect anyway. Publishers have been using all sorts of naming and wording for it — until now. On top of Valve adjusting the refund rules recently, this whole Advanced Access thing is now, well — an actual thing on Steam.
Noticed by SteamDB creator Pavel Djundik on TopSpin 2K25 you'll see this for example:
Seems like Valve did a bit of a woops there though. The Learn more link actually goes to the Early Access info page instead of the new Advanced Access page. I'm sure they'll fix that soon though.
At least according to the Advanced Access page, it seems the feature is open to any developer to do this. As Valve say "Games by default will not include an Advanced Access pre-purchase option. This will be setup at the discretion of the developer/publisher creating and selling their products.". So it's not reserved for AAA.
With this getting promoted to be a proper official Steam feature, it's no surprise then to see them going over some of their rules like refunds to ensure people aren't gaming it by playing as much as possible before "release" (what does release even really mean now?) to refund it.
How do you feel about Advanced Access?
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This is hard to understand for me, you can count with your fingers the amount of AAA games that come out polished or finished. But you have people paying to play a few days earlier for what? Paying to be beta tester? I bet this practice makes crunch even worst for developers. My head hurts when I think about this.
15 Likes, Who?
But you have people paying to play a few days earlier for what?
The feeling of exclusivity, even if only temporary. Also the feeling of superiority over non-testers after it releases. It's essentially become an addiction for some gamers. 🤷♂️
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But you have people paying to play a few days earlier for what?Streaming possibly? Extra hits for your YouTube channel?
2 Likes, Who?
I think the name is terrible - if they want it to be different from "Early Access", they should call it "Early Release".
Advanced Access sounds like it gives you command flags for the game executable
- "Advanced Access" =/= "Access in Advance"
Advanced Access sounds like it gives you command flags for the game executable
- "Advanced Access" =/= "Access in Advance"
8 Likes, Who?
It's essentially become an addiction for some gamers. 🤷♂️
This is going to become really confusing for others when they turn upto their local AA meeting.
10 Likes, Who?
I am done with this crap.
I am fed up of this complete utter greed. First we lost physical releases along with publishers destroying games preservation. Now they want even more money by charging £100+ for a broken PC game and now I am required to give yet more money to play the game on release day (AKA On time)
I am done. After 20 years I am now going back to the high seas.
I am fed up of this complete utter greed. First we lost physical releases along with publishers destroying games preservation. Now they want even more money by charging £100+ for a broken PC game and now I am required to give yet more money to play the game on release day (AKA On time)
I am done. After 20 years I am now going back to the high seas.
0 Likes
Streaming possibly? Extra hits for your YouTube channel?This is probably the only scenario that makes sense to me, making profit out of it.
0 Likes
I am done with this crap.
I am fed up of this complete utter greed. First we lost physical releases along with publishers destroying games preservation. Now they want even more money by charging £100+ for a broken PC game and now I am required to give yet more money to play the game on release day (AKA On time)
I am done. After 20 years I am now going back to the high seas.
i mean, yes and no. You don't have to play these overpriced "AAA" garbage titles, with terrible pricing, optimization, forced agenda's, Scam DLC, Malware DRM. There are hundreds of smaller dev's who would want your support, and of course a long back catalogue of existing games that can be modded. Then there are Retro games of which are still highly enjoyable and again can be emulated to look great.
But i do agree with the sentiment that until people change their buying practices non of this is going to change. And that applies to everything not just video games.
Last edited by Lofty on 24 April 2024 at 1:46 pm UTC
5 Likes, Who?
I agree on the addiction thing. From a higher up level I don't really mind it at all, since I would never be enticed by this. But there are TONS of gamers who would, and this feels like the industry just blatantly taking advantage of peoples addictions.
Kind of reminds me a lot about all the app-based sports gambling right now which is a pandemic in my mind.
Kind of reminds me a lot about all the app-based sports gambling right now which is a pandemic in my mind.
4 Likes, Who?
I am done with this crap.
I am fed up of this complete utter greed. First we lost physical releases along with publishers destroying games preservation. Now they want even more money by charging £100+ for a broken PC game and now I am required to give yet more money to play the game on release day (AKA On time)
I am done. After 20 years I am now going back to the high seas.
i mean, yes and no. You don't have to play these overpriced "AAA" garbage titles, with terrible pricing, optimization, forced agenda's, Scam DLC, Malware DRM. There are hundreds of smaller dev's who would want your support, and of course a long back catalogue of existing games that can be modded. Then there are Retro games of which are still highly enjoyable and again can be emulated to look great.
But i do agree with the sentiment that until people change their buying practices non of this is going to change. And that applies to everything not just video games.
I will continue to support indy devs but I am now done with AAA publisher that implements this.
I am very disappointed that valve implemented this feature.
0 Likes
I am done with this crap.
I am fed up of this complete utter greed. First we lost physical releases along with publishers destroying games preservation. Now they want even more money by charging £100+ for a broken PC game and now I am required to give yet more money to play the game on release day (AKA On time)
I am done. After 20 years I am now going back to the high seas.
i mean, yes and no. You don't have to play these overpriced "AAA" garbage titles, with terrible pricing, optimization, forced agenda's, Scam DLC, Malware DRM. There are hundreds of smaller dev's who would want your support, and of course a long back catalogue of existing games that can be modded. Then there are Retro games of which are still highly enjoyable and again can be emulated to look great.
But i do agree with the sentiment that until people change their buying practices non of this is going to change. And that applies to everything not just video games.
I will continue to support indy devs but I am now done with AAA publisher that implements this.
I am very disappointed that valve implemented this feature.
I don't blame you and i agree. My point was also why even bother pirating it even if it's free ? your still giving a shitty group of people your time and energy.
1 Likes, Who?
"How do you feel about Advanced Access?"
I think it's utter crap. If the game is finished and ready for release... release it.
I think it's utter crap. If the game is finished and ready for release... release it.
1 Likes, Who?
I am very disappointed that valve implemented this feature.
They are only making visible what's already happening. And we can't expect them to somehow stop it.
4 Likes, Who?
As confusing as the name sounds, I'm not inclined to give my money for early access to any game since they always come out broken anyways
At this rate, you might as well wait awhile for a sale if you have the patience since you'll save a lot of money in the long run and most of the issues from the early release will get fixed. Worse case scenario is the developer abandons it and you're stuck with a broken game that you could refund from Steam or any other third party seller unless you wait too long to go through the process, then you're pretty much SOL.
Last edited by ToddL on 25 April 2024 at 6:38 am UTC
At this rate, you might as well wait awhile for a sale if you have the patience since you'll save a lot of money in the long run and most of the issues from the early release will get fixed. Worse case scenario is the developer abandons it and you're stuck with a broken game that you could refund from Steam or any other third party seller unless you wait too long to go through the process, then you're pretty much SOL.
Last edited by ToddL on 25 April 2024 at 6:38 am UTC
1 Likes, Who?
I am done with this crap.
I am fed up of this complete utter greed. First we lost physical releases along with publishers destroying games preservation. Now they want even more money by charging £100+ for a broken PC game and now I am required to give yet more money to play the game on release day (AKA On time)
I am done. After 20 years I am now going back to the high seas.
i mean, yes and no. You don't have to play these overpriced "AAA" garbage titles, with terrible pricing, optimization, forced agenda's, Scam DLC, Malware DRM. There are hundreds of smaller dev's who would want your support, and of course a long back catalogue of existing games that can be modded. Then there are Retro games of which are still highly enjoyable and again can be emulated to look great.
But i do agree with the sentiment that until people change their buying practices non of this is going to change. And that applies to everything not just video games.
I will continue to support indy devs but I am now done with AAA publisher that implements this.
I am very disappointed that valve implemented this feature.
I don't blame you and i agree. My point was also why even bother pirating it even if it's free ? your still giving a shitty group of people your time and energy.
You know what, You are right.
Sailing High seas not worth it as its just too much hassle.
I will just boycott instead. Ubisoft and EA in particular.
I will give GOG another look though.
Last edited by finaldest on 24 April 2024 at 2:18 pm UTC
5 Likes, Who?
I am very disappointed that valve implemented this feature.
They are only making visible what's already happening. And we can't expect them to somehow stop it.
The Problem is that now VALVE has an official implementation the floodgates are now open.
One of the first publishers to use this will no doubt be Paradox Interactive.
0 Likes
MasterSleort Apr 24
I am all for it. Don't get me wrong. I won't be paying for this ever, but I don't mind developers having the ability to do this.
Valve serves two markets. Developers/publishers and consumers. This is most likely a request from publishers, who might then otherwise have released the game somewhere else. If this ensures that some games stay on Steam, I say go for it.
I say let free market forces dictate whether it is a feature that will stay or not. If people are getting burnt or don't feel the value is there, publishers will be hesitant to use the feature. After all it's also a way to get advanced negative reviews.
I can't say whether people who buy advanced access would be more critical of the purchase because of the higher price or less critical because they wanted early access in the first place.
Last edited by MasterSleort on 24 April 2024 at 3:06 pm UTC
Valve serves two markets. Developers/publishers and consumers. This is most likely a request from publishers, who might then otherwise have released the game somewhere else. If this ensures that some games stay on Steam, I say go for it.
I say let free market forces dictate whether it is a feature that will stay or not. If people are getting burnt or don't feel the value is there, publishers will be hesitant to use the feature. After all it's also a way to get advanced negative reviews.
I can't say whether people who buy advanced access would be more critical of the purchase because of the higher price or less critical because they wanted early access in the first place.
Last edited by MasterSleort on 24 April 2024 at 3:06 pm UTC
8 Likes, Who?
Dana Souly Apr 24
"How do you feel about Advanced Access?"
I don't think I'll pay for AA.
In the past I've bought physical copies with merch or extras, that's money worth investing if I think I'll like the game.
But not for time, virtual goods or p2w options. (I wouldn't buy games with p2w either)
I don't think I'll pay for AA.
In the past I've bought physical copies with merch or extras, that's money worth investing if I think I'll like the game.
But not for time, virtual goods or p2w options. (I wouldn't buy games with p2w either)
1 Likes, Who?
How do you feel about Advanced Access?
It's something that I'll never ever use - particularly with the current trends of the release state of games - but if publishers feel that they really have to use FOMO to squeeze more money out of whales then a limited-scope upfront charge is way better than, say, getting people hooked on gambling.
Of course having a game release in a good state for a reasonable price - with a free demo for additional marketing reach - would be a much better outcome, but it can be difficult to get an industry to reverse its mistakes.
3 Likes, Who?
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