Amplitude Studios, a long-time proponent of early access development, has observed significant shifts in player and media attitudes towards unfinished games over their 15-year history. The studio, which utilized a form of early access even before Steam's dedicated program with its 2012 title Endless Space, now prepares to launch Endless Legend 2 after a year in early access, acknowledging a dramatically altered landscape.
"The whole thing has changed over time," said Romain de Waubert de Genlis, co-founder and CEO of Amplitude. He recalled the early days when journalists were hesitant to cover games still in development, preferring to wait for a finished product. This contrasted with the current environment where early access titles attract significant attention from players, journalists, and influencers, creating uncertainty about sustained player engagement post-launch.
De Waubert de Genlis noted a stark reversal in player expectations. "15 years ago, people understood it was an unfinished game." In that era, developers might face criticism for releasing a game that was too polished during early access, with players urging them to "make the game with us." Today, however, he stated, "Now if you come to early access with an unfinished game you'll get crushed," as players express frustration over paying for incomplete products. This shift makes experimentation challenging, as developers must balance creative risk-taking with the demand for a nearly finished experience.
Amplitude has continued its Games2Gether program, fostering community involvement in design discussions and feedback, a practice that extends to the development of Humankind 2. Despite the evolving expectations, the studio implemented around 60 patches and ten major updates for Endless Legend 2 during its early access period. These updates were informed by player feedback, such as adjustments to land generation in the game's new receding water system, which initially led to players feeling lost and bored. Post-feedback, the land generation was refined to include more strategic chokepoints.
Game director Benoit Humbert confirmed that Humankind 2 is also benefiting from this evolved understanding of early access. "We know players are expecting something that at least seems finished and works well." He indicated that the early access version of Humankind 2 will be presented as a "kind of finished game" that will still be refined based on player input.
De Waubert de Genlis concluded by emphasizing the benefits of the current early access model over the pre-launch silence of the past. "Right now, in Early Access you hear from the players. You know exactly what people want, exactly what you're delivering. The game's being played already. You work until the last minute and suddenly you press a button and everyone comes and plays. You don't have that waiting time. No more wasted time."