Steam's Early Access failures?

[bystander36]

I don't understand how you don't understand. I'm not sure where to begin to explain something so simple. Soooo... I guess I just won't bother. Sorry!

He's trying to get you to explain how they can develop the game without using the funding meant to develop the game with.

 

[Stringjam]

You aren't listening. Or, rather, you're not bothering to read my posts.

Why should I read yours if you won't do me the credit of reading mine?

I read all of your posts. You think a 3rd party should hold the funds.

A dozen times now, however, you've refused to describe with any sort of logic how the developer is supposed to finance their development without having access to the money.

Maybe you should start there. You're not building a case for your position, you're just saying "I want it to be this way," then sticking your fingers in your ears and shouting "nananananananana" every time you're confronted with logic.

If you want to debate a topic, you should at least make an attempt to clearly define and support your position with facts (or at least a reasonable theory).

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

I don't understand how you don't understand. I'm not sure where to begin to explain something so simple. Soooo... I guess I just won't bother. Sorry!

It's like you asking me for money to buy a potato, but me telling you I'm not giving you money for a potato until you buy it.

How does that work?

 

[SMOGZINN]

It's like you asking me for money to buy a potato, but me telling you I'm not giving you money for a potato until you buy it.

How does that work?

Early access in general is a lot like them asking for money to buy a potato, and when I give it to them they instead buy vodka, drink it all, yell at me that it is technically potato, then puke on my shoes.

 

[HeXen]

I read all of your posts. You think a 3rd party should hold the funds.

A dozen times now, however, you've refused to describe with any sort of logic how the developer is supposed to finance their development without having access to the money.

Maybe you should start there. You're not building a case for your position, you're just saying "I want it to be this way," then sticking your fingers in your ears and shouting "nananananananana" every time you're confronted with logic.

If you want to debate a topic, you should at least make an attempt to clearly define and support your position with facts (or at least a reasonable theory).

How about this for early access. We buy shares of stock for the game, a certain amount of shares is required to gain early access...in return all share holders then either make some return on it or lose it all depending on how it goes.

In a sense however, this is kind of like what Publisher's deal with. They pay money for someone to make a game because they believe in it's potential. There is risk that the developer will not meet budget, will put out a crappy game but the publisher gets a legal binding contract which essentially finishes the product be it good or bad......we just get an alpha game where the developers can just walk away, maybe early access should get us investors a legal binding contract as well?....your thoughts?.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

How about this for early access. We buy shares of stock for the game, a certain amount of shares is required to gain early access...in return all share holders then either make some return on it or lose it all depending on how it goes.

In a sense however, this is kind of like what Publisher's deal with. They pay money for someone to make a game because they believe in it's potential. There is risk that the developer will not meet budget, will put out a crappy game but the publisher gets a legal binding contract which essentially finishes the product be it good or bad......we just get an alpha game where the developers can just walk away, maybe early access should get us investors a legal binding contract as well?....your thoughts?.

Feel like reporting all that for every KS/EA transaction on your tax return? Or filing foreign tax returns if they aren't located in the US? Not to mention that they would have to be a corporation. What if they are a partnership? Or just a group of dudes? The tax and accounting implications would be nigh impossible to treat them like investments.

Early access in general is a lot like them asking for money to buy a potato, and when I give it to them they instead buy vodka, drink it all, yell at me that it is technically potato, then puke on my shoes.

Probably a more accurate example

 

[BurnItDwn]

I have bought games early on and had wonderful times with them in their alpha stages.

I have also had bad luck on occasion too.

Some winners... Kerebal Space Program, Minecraft, Rimworld
Losers... Starforge

Its taking a risk to buy into an idea with no guarantee of results. This goes for any process where you buy an Alpha, not just steam specifically.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

How about this for early access. We buy shares of stock for the game, a certain amount of shares is required to gain early access...in return all share holders then either make some return on it or lose it all depending on how it goes.

In a sense however, this is kind of like what Publisher's deal with. They pay money for someone to make a game because they believe in it's potential. There is risk that the developer will not meet budget, will put out a crappy game but the publisher gets a legal binding contract which essentially finishes the product be it good or bad......we just get an alpha game where the developers can just walk away, maybe early access should get us investors a legal binding contract as well?....your thoughts?.

Way too many tax implications. Why would a developer enter and agreement like this for $25, I'd bet they'd become much higher cost. What is complete? Who decides what's complete? How does this prevent them from simply going bankrupt or closing shop then opening under a new name?

 

[DarkKnightDude]

I regret ever buying DayZ

ARK, Killing Floor 2, Kerbal, and Besiege are my favorite early access titles so far.

KF2 for example is how it should be done. Its extremely well polished, just doesn't have tons of content, which they add in each update. We're getting demo and firebug perks next patch along with two new maps.