Microsoft and Sony Both Eyeing Up Early Access Programs for Console
Steam Might Not Be the Only Platform Offering Unfinished Games Soon
It looks like both console manufacturers are eying the opportunity to add an Early Access program, allowing developers to ship unfinished games onto the store for customers to download, support, and send feedback to the developer.
Steam's Early Access has seen mixed success. While games like "The Forest," "Rust," "Day-Z," and "Kerbal Space Program" have utilized the program, we have yet to see a big community-driven project actually finished. "Day-Z" is still in beta, alongside other top sellers.
Early Access on Console
Sony President of Developer and Publisher Relations Adam Boyes says the program is a "massive conversation" inside the company. The different teams want to figure out what works for the PS4 and what doesn't, meaning we might see a redefined version of the Early Access platform for the PlayStation 4.
After hearing this, Microsoft decided to make their own statements on Early Access two days later, ID@Xbox lead Chris Charla told Develop that Microsoft is interested in such a program and wants to bring the same experience "Minecraft" and other games went through on console, gradually upgrading the game to the point of release.
Currently, games cannot be offered for a price unfinished, even though the "Destiny" alpha and beta were only available to those who preordered the game. Still, this is not the same as Early Access, which offers the full game to the player and expects them to add input and feedback.
Rules and Standards
What we are hoping for, if both the PS4 and Xbox One add Early Access programs, is new standards on what can and cannot be added to the store. All too often, indie developers work on a title and get sick of it after a year or so. Perhaps Sony and Microsoft could offer refund schemes or even partner with indie developers to make sure they keep the work going.
Other things like creating apps to send feedback to the developers would be nice touches, allowing the player to get a more one-to-one experience with the developer. Sony and Microsoft might have to open up their consoles to bug-fixes, but this issue could be solved by making the feature only accessible on the developer side.
A New Digital Marketplace
As more of the console world goes digital, it is only a matter of time before Early Access begins to grow on console. Once PS4 and Xbox One start accepting these games, we might see an influx of indie developers, keen to see their work on console, being played by thousands of fans.
For console players, it might be a bit jarring to see an unfinished and potentially unplayable in places title. "Day-Z" developers have often told players they should not come to the game for a complete experience and wait for an official version to launch before spending money; this is the mantra we hope all developers will follow.
