It’s now slightly trickier to accidentally buy a ‘dead’ Steam early access game

Valve is now labeling Steam early access games that haven’t been updated in a long while more prominently. This change aims to help users identify projects that have stalled in development. Third-party platform SteamDB observed these warnings being added to early access info boxes, providing a clear indication for potential buyers.

While it may not have been easy to accidentally purchase a stagnant early access game before, these labels save users the trouble of investigating update logs or user reviews. Despite the positive reception of this update, some players have raised concerns about its implementation. For instance, games like Heartbound, featured in the header image, have received recent updates in beta, but Valve’s labels only seem to apply to gaps between full public updates.

It’s worth pondering what timeframe constitutes too long a gap between early access updates. Each game or genre may have different expectations, and personally, I believe in embracing the present rather than banking on future promises. Valve’s recent efforts to address Steam issues, such as tightening rules for games with delayed season pass DLC, demonstrate their commitment to improving the platform.

As the gaming community navigates the evolving landscape of early access titles, it’s essential to remain vigilant and informed when making purchasing decisions. By staying informed about a game’s development status, players can make more informed choices and support projects that align with their expectations.