Checking in with Steam Early Access' class of 2013
Extended stay
Early access is a fascinating grey area in gaming consumerism, where developers can charge money for unfinished-but-playable products with no clear indication of when - or if - they'll ever be completed. Valve, ever the risk-taking experimenter, launched the Steam Early Access program back in March 2013, letting customers buy into alpha builds so they could give developers direct feedback, kickstart the beginnings of a community, and bring needed bug fixes to light.
This uncertain space in the game market isn't going away anytime soon; just look at the runaway success of the recent 'sandbox survival with dinosaurs' Early Access game ARK: Survival Evolved, or Microsoft's E3 2015 announcement of the Xbox Game Preview program, which mimics Steam Early Access but with free demos. So let's examine the forebears of the format, and find out which games in Steam Early Access' class of 2013 have actually graduated (given that they all entered the program during its debut year). Let these be a lesson, because as the Early Access FAQ puts it, "You should be aware that some teams will be unable to 'finish' their game."
DayZ
The quick pitch: DayZ was one of the first breakout hits in the 'open-world survival' genre, dropping your unarmed avatar into a world full of brain-munching zombies and players ready to backstab one another to survive.
You could buy it as far back as: December 2013
What's the likelihood of it escaping Early Access alive? Things aren't looking too good at the moment. When it first hit Early Access, DayZ was all the rage: fans of the original Arma 2 mod were excited to try this standalone version, and innumerable livestreams and Let's Plays exposed thousands to a pioneer of the 'zombie survival' genre. But two years later, a lot of those customers are feeling betrayed, given that the game's still in alpha and riddled with bugs. It may end up limping to the finish line - and now it has to compete with almost identical Early Access games like 7 Days to Die and H1Z1.
1... 2... 3... KICK IT! Drop That Beat Like an Ugly Baby
The quick pitch: A canonical sequel to the indie oddity (deep breath) AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!!, you zoom through a void weaving around shapes generated by your MP3 library.
You could buy it as far back as: June 2013
What's the likelihood of it escaping Early Access alive? Unlikely. The terribly acronymed 123KIDTBLAUB has had a tumultuous existence, first 'launching' on April 1, 2011 as part of the Portal 2 ARG, then inexplicably transitioning onto the Steam Early Access platform in mid-2013. Given that the game hasn't been updated since July 2013, it's all but assured that it's been unceremoniously abandoned, especially given that it's no longer for sale.
Prison Architect
The quick pitch: Live out your dreams of being the warden of a maximum security prison, doing everything in your power to prevent breakouts, riots, and general tomfoolery.
You could buy it as far back as: March 2013
What's the likelihood of it escaping Early Access alive? Assured, but it'll probably be a while. Prison Architect actually tried out the Early Access format before Steam did, offering a buy-in alpha build on its site as early as September 2012. Things have been improving steadily since then, with a new build every month and plenty of ways to put your inmates through hell (or try to rehabilitate them, but where's the fun in that?).
Rust
The quick pitch: You're a buck-naked guy in the wilderness. What comes next is up to you - but whatever you want to accomplish, it's going to involve loads of crafting, resource gathering, and quite probably being held up at spear-point by a tribe of experienced players.
You could buy it as far back as: December 2013
What's the likelihood of it escaping Early Access alive? High. Rust's community is still thriving, and the developers provide a steady stream of weekly updates and constant communication. Recently, one such update introduced variable penis sizes for your randomly generated male avatar. This has created, as PC Gamer calls it, a dong dilemma.
Interstellar Marines
The quick pitch: Not to be confused with Aliens: Colonial Marines, this tactical, squad-based FPS has you playing a near-future soldier wearing a helmet with a seriously spiffy heads-up display.
You could buy it as far back as: July 2013
What's the likelihood of it escaping Early Access alive? Uncertain. Updates from the development team have started to pick up speed as of this year, but the progress is slow going. After two years, the single-player/co-op campaign still only has a scant two levels, and there isnt much to distinguish its bare-bones multiplayer from all the other near-future shooters out there.
Space Engineers
The quick pitch: Explore a procedurally generated chunk of the universe in your colorful astronaut outfit, gathering minerals from passing asteroids and building space stations piece by piece.
You could buy it as far back as: October 2013
What's the likelihood of it escaping Early Access alive? Good. Constant updates keep the game fresh for its dedicated playerbase, including new modes like Survival and the PvP-enabled multiplayer. If you've ever wanted to play a version of Minecraft with realistic graphics and an outer space setting, this is it.
Nuclear Throne
The quick pitch: A frenzied top-down shooter that evokes 16-bit classics like Zombies Ate My Neighbors and Smash TV, created by the inventive minds at Vlambeer. As a member of a ragtag group of apocalypse survivors - cutesy mutants, mostly - you have to blast your way through white-knuckle shootouts across the wasteland to claim your seat on the Nuclear Throne.
You could buy it as far back as: October 2013
What's the likelihood of it escaping Early Access alive? Definite; the question is when. Nuclear Throne might be a case of trying to polish a piece of art ad infinitum - it's already got tons more features and inventive weapons than most indie games, and it's imminently playable to boot. Vlambeer says it'll "be in Early Access until it is done", but at least you get new updates every weekend to tide you over 'til its nebulous release date.
Dungeon Dashers
The quick pitch: A gorgeous pixelated take on classic D&D, Dungeon Dashers sees you slashing swords and casting spells through monster-filled caverns and fortresses, one turn-based tile move at a time.
You could buy it as far back as: October 2013
What's the likelihood of it escaping Early Access alive? Improbable, though there's reason to hold on to hope. Early buyers were miffed that the game had such great potential, but hadn't heard a peep or played an update from the developer since September 2014. That's because he was devoting his attention on Crossy Road, a side project that unexpectedly became a hit on mobile. In a commendable gesture, the money from that success will go into rebuilding Dungeon Dashers in unity, giving this RPG another chance at life.
Take On Mars
The quick pitch: Bohemia Interactive is best known for its military simulation series Arma, but this curio lets you be the first astronaut to explore the barren surface of Mars.
You could buy it as far back as: August 2013
What's the likelihood of it escaping Early Access alive? Could be any day now. After two years of alpha development, Take On Mars should transition into beta sometime this July (the game was originally projected for a June 2015 release date, but Early Access buyers can't be choosers). From there, it's only a matter of time until it's officially launched, much to the delight of gamers who can appreciate the serene, almost unnerving tranquility of trekking solo through a red desert.
Under the Ocean
The quick pitch: You're the husky, abstractly rendered survivor of a shipwreck, trying to fend for yourself on a 2D tropical island via exploration and crafting. It's a spiritual successor to indie game jam gem Under the Garden, from the same developer.
You could buy it as far back as: April 2013
What's the likelihood of it escaping Early Access alive? Zero - but that's only in reference to the original version. The project was in dire straits when it was revealed earlier this year that Under the Ocean was pulled from Steam, due to depleted funding and the departure of the game's lone programmer. But earlier this past April, the developer has claimed that he'll restart the whole project, working solo this time around. Kudos to him for trying to see the game through.
Kenshi
The quick pitch: One of the earlier games to employ the 'survive and establish a fort in this sandbox desert apocalypse' structure, and easily among the most ambitious. Its RPG elements are more prominent than its contemporaries, and the intriguing weapon and costume designs give it a Mad Max vibe, minus the cars. Also, there are cannibals, conical hats, and samurai swords.
You could buy it as far back as: March 2013
What's the likelihood of it escaping Early Access alive? Decent, but don't hold your breath waiting for a final build. Kenshi is a labor of love, with one developer estimating that it's been nine years since the project started. But the new alpha versions continue to steadily roll out, so the game's bound to be finished at some point.
Kerbal Space Program
The quick pitch: Try your hand at rocket science by building a space-voyager from scratch, with some inevitable crash-and-burn failures along the way. Thankfully, you're cheered on by the adorable Kerbals (which, come to think of it, are not unlike mint-colored Minions).
You could buy it as far back as: March 2013
What's the likelihood of it escaping Early Access alive? It already has! Of Steam Early Access' class of 2013, Kerbal is undoubtedly the valedictorian, graduating in April 2015 to universal acclaim from players and critics. It's the exemplar of an Early Access game done right: it launched with a unique concept that got players interested, kept them hooked with constant updates, and ultimately delivered the product that was promised and anticipated from the beginning. Two years can feel like a long time, but Kerbal Space Program made the wait painless with continuous iteration atop a perfectly playable foundation.
