Every now and then Steam adds a feature that makes me go, 'Huh, that wasn't here already?' Today's one of those days as Valve is finally letting Steam Early Access developers list a 1.0 release date or, at least, a 1.0 release guesstimate.
The new Steam update now provides developers with a "dedicated space to display the date when a game plans to exit Early Access and officially launch 1.0," a blog post explains. Since Early Access games are so subject to change, teams can choose to list either an exact date or a more vague window, like a simple year or quarter, under a game's usual Early Access disclaimer.
Valve says the feature was finally introduced because Early Access developers would often ask the company about it, and many of them were already "sharing their 1.0 dates in other places-- within the text description on the store page, via Steam Event news posts, on social media, in their forums, and so on."
The PC storefront was also quick to remind folks that it's okay, you can and sometimes should ignore the feature. "Just because this feature exists does not mean you should or must use it," the blog reads. "It makes sense to use this date display only if you are already communicating directly with your players about a planned date for your 1.0 release, when you have a very high degree of confidence."
"When in doubt, wait. Setting a specific calendar date can cause confusion or disappointment if you end up missing that date. Building and maintaining trust with your community is an important part of Early Access, and there is no pressure to establish a 1.0 release time far in advance."
Scouring for information about a 1.0 release date while my mouse hovers over that 'Add To Cart' button should now be a thing of the past, so I'll welcome any change that streamlines the act of just buying a game. Nice one, Valve.
