this post was submitted on 19 Aug 2023
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I didn't say anything about development.
If people want to spend money to play a game early that's their choice. Just because it's not something you wouldn't do doesn't mean it has no value to anyone. If anything it provides value to the people who aren't going to buy the game blind on release date (unless the company postpones the release date to make room for early access I guess). Plus the dev has a chance to find and fix bugs before most people start playing.
Also is there a specific game you're talking about? I've only seen games get more expensive after early access, not less.
I imagine the term Early Access is causing confusion here.
I am not talking about the Steam Early Access program, where developers can get some early funding of their game and community feedback on the game during development. I have no issue with this program if it used correctly, which it is mostly. Games generally do get more expensive when leaving yes, as most developers recognise that charging people full price for an unfinished game is unfair.
What I was referring to is different, the early access I am referring to is a recent marketing strategy, generally used to make people spend more money on 'deluxe' editions of video games.
The most recent example would be Starfield, Bethesda are offering a 'Premium Edition' which costs almost 50% more than the base game, it contains some art and soundtrack along with some skins (I won't rant about that right now, but come on...), but it's main selling point being the '5 days early access' to the game. The game releases officially on 6th September, but if you purchase this 'Premium Edition' you can play the game on the 1st September instead.
This is what I have issue with and it is a horrible new practice that many of these multi-billion dollar companies are pulling to try and get more money from people. I understand it's ultimately the choice of the consumer to buy this, but it is preying on their hype and excitement for a game to make them fork over more money that they otherwise would not do.
It's sad to see. Games used to just have a standard price, you paid it got a full game and off you went, now there's all these special editions with extra bullshit attached in an attempt to milk consumers. You should absolutely be against these practices.
New harry potter is one example, where if you had deluxe version, you could play the game 3 days before the official release.