Valve has just launched its Steam “Early Access” platform. The new initiative allows Steam users to purchase games that are currently in development, giving these early adopters the opportunity to give the game creators feedback about their work.
Following the success of games like Minecraft, Valve’s own DOTA 2, and other titles, the initiative is a logical next-step for the collection of Steam Community offerings. Valve had this to say about the program’s introduction.
“We like to think of games and game development as services that grow and evolve with the involvement of customers and community,” says Valve. “There have been a number of prominent titles that have embraced this model of development recently and found a lot of value in the process.”
Steam users will have the ability to either purchase the game, or just download it if it’s a free title, and then Valve suggests for those players to get involved in the community aspects of helping shape the game. The program launches with a handful of games to start with, Arma III being the biggest name in the bunch.
You can find more information about the Steam Early Access program here.
Published: Mar 21, 2013 01:24 am