"15 years ago, people understood it was an unfinished game": As Endless Legend 2 hits 1.0, Amplitude reflect on how early access has changed

Key Points:

• Amplitude Studios has a long history of using early access for game development, starting before Steam Early Access existed, allowing players to access alpha builds and provide feedback during development.
• The studio's approach has evolved, with early access now attracting more players, journalists, and influencers, but uncertainty remains about whether early access users will return for full launches.
• Endless Legend 2, after a year in early access with around 60 patches and ten major updates, will launch with significant new content, including three new factions and gameplay changes based on player feedback.
• Player expectations for early access games have shifted, with modern players demanding more polished and finished experiences, which challenges developers' ability to experiment and iterate openly.
• Despite these changes, Amplitude continues to engage players through programs like Games2Gether and private alphas, as seen with Humankind 2, aiming to deliver a near-finished product that evolves with community input.