Bad move I think...... To take two examples from this round-up:

I bought Starbound a long time ago and first it didn't delivered a DRM-free version as advertised in the first place (thus it was steam only and no download on the humble store). Actually, I even remember making a thread here complaining about it. And secondly, well, the development has been quite erratic in terms of management (no full team assigned, etc.). In fact, I was so pissed off that I swore that I would never buy an early-access again...

Project Zomboid: I'm surprised this project is still alive as it has been in the works for many years. It's maybe interesting but it will probably never be finished (or in 5 years if they don't go bankrupt)

Not sure why so many people complain about the new In Development games. They've been using GOG's "in development" forums for years.

^ Chuckle!

I probably would be ok with Early Access, if:
- a big red warning could be added at the start of the game page. EDIT: ah, there is one already (sorta).
- I could hide all these titles from my store view until fully released.

P.S: Early Access = EA
XD

Well, at least these were / still are free. :P

You no pay.

You no buy.

No one is forcing you. Please stop bitching. GOG grows and this is good for all of us.

GOG will most likely profit and grow thanks to this move, but it sure doesn't fit in with their carefully-curated-boutique-game-store mentality (that they claim they have, we all know they are just being whimsical, no?). I wish they'd have brought in any 1 of the complete and excellent games they previously rejected instead of this early access bunch. Yeah, whatever, I won't buy, you guys help yourselves if you enjoy this sort of thing.

So GOG goes from Old Games, to new games, to incomplete games?

I mean I have some Early Access games on Steam but I don't trust every Early Access project. Difference being, I'm pretty sure GOG will at least have a system where if the game isn't updated every so often or it begins to look shady it will be removed.

Steam seems to not like to have have curration with their games while GOG loves. This will be interesting.

Then... simply don't buy?
This is actually a good move. There have been many games that have failed with their Kickstarter campaign, for instance, and gone to Steam early access.
Now there is a DRM-free option if someone actually wants to buy games while they are in development, but don't want to buy on Steam.

Where this kind of fails on GOG's part though, is that their "curated catalog" becomes even more double-standard than it already is. If really good games are rejected for whatever unknown reason, then how can games that are still being developed enter the catalog?

I wonder how refunding and everything works if some game never gets finished, but remains as "WIP" version for years.

And one day when those games are completely developed and ready for market, I'll be more than happy to plunk down some cash for them. Until then, my stance on early access will always be CAVEAT EMPTOR.

As long as GOG is strict with games there wont be problem.
Because unlike steam they are hand picking games.
I really wish to see Blackmesa here.

I've got a great game concept, currently working on the early tech. I think a $5.99 price point would be good for early access.

What do you guys think of my design? Will people pay 6 bucks for it?

I recall an interview by someone at GOG a year or two ago it's something they were wanting to implement. And one of the things I've noticed from some reviews is, "I purchased this game already in Steam Early Access and here's what I think of it." So barring some people getting pissy about their game not working, the move should potentially be a profitable one.


At the very least a thing saying this was an early access review and/or maybe a way to filter out early access reviews when it finally comes out of beta.

Don't sell yourself short there my friend, aim for around $40, maybe a 10% discount for pre-order, and don't forget to release it as chapters every 3 months or so, i.e. square first, then triangle, then circle.