Early Access vs Release?

I would like to open a thread for discussion on early access, I have been using DCS for a while and I myself am noticing a pattern emerging...Modules are released as early access with a list of features pending for release, often with no ETA as to when they will be out of early access. Huge Bug lists develop and people get mad. ex Mi-8, M2000, MiG-21, ect.

Now before someone starts talking about the uncertain world of software development. I would Just like to pose the question?

Do we as members of the community like early access? Or would we rather the developers take longer on products and only release them complete?

Now I'm not asking the devs to change anything, just want to have thread where people can politely share their opinion on this subject..

The Early Access is part of a faster development for a completed module with the community to find bugs and let the developers know about them and help them to get these sorted out.

I know if I want to take part on the EA or not and wait till its completed state is reached.

 

Do we as members of the community like early access? Or would we rather the developers take longer on products and only release them complete?

First, what does "complete" mean? Does it mean bug free? With such a complex piece of software, practically impossible to achieve.

Does "complete" mean feature complete? How many "complete" modules we have at the moment? I say zero, because a lot of stuff is not fully modeled, because either it's classified or it's too demanding performance wise.

Early access gives financial boost to developers, exposes the module to much wider tester base, which should improve the development. And it gives me the chance to get my hands on it sooner rather than later, even though it's buggy and incomplete. :D

What BIGNEWY said. I also take EA whenever possible. I don't like to wait, so I'm happy if I can get my hands on a new birds earlier and don't have to wait untill release. It also gives me the opportunity to get in touch with the devs during development where changes are more likely than after release.

So yes, I love Early Access!

And as there is nothing negative about it for us players, I don't see why it shouldn't be there. If someone doesn't like unfinished products, he can just wait for release, just like if there would be no EA.

I like early access in general, for DCS modules it's fantastic as you get to learn as the aircraft gets developed and there really isn't a burn out factor. It's a bit different for regular video games as you can burn out before the game is even done.

Early access can be a great thing, for both the dev and the end user. However, it can also be abused when it takes many years to see it become feature complete (bugs not withstanding). Take the Huey for example. It is long since out of early access but it is not feature complete and even the manual is still incomplete nearly five years from initial release.

 

Do we as members of the community like early access? Or would we rather the developers take longer on products and only release them complete?

 

Question is phrased silly.

The Community is not a single entity, a 'We' as you stated above.

The Community is made up of thousands of individual members, each with their own preferences , said preferences all as important as the next and obviously all different.

I prefer early access. Another member does not.

That's irrelevant.

What is important is that ED provides the choice.

Partake in early access or not. That's the choice I want afforded. Liking it or not is irrelevant. What matters is that I have the ability to choose.

And i choose Early Access.

Cheaper quickest way to start enjoying what you like.

From this year on, I adopt a "zero cents on early access from me" policy.

Especially the release model of omitting systems and weapons on some platforms until a TBD date after EA is something I will not spend money on, even for supporting the development.

That said, I still do see why would companies want to follow EA route, and why they actually may even need it.

For every hardcore detractor, you'll get a hardcore fanboy, there is no such thing as a homogenous "we" regarding the community, and even if there was, this isn't necessarily a democracy: majority of community liking or disliking early access probably will not have any impact on the reasons why early access exists in the first place.

I prefer early access, others may not… they give everyone the choice. Either way it’s a steal and you are getting your money's worth 10 fold!

So to clarify, my stance is. Bugs are one thing, I’m fine helping with the bug hunting process and I agree that with any new product your gonna have bugs. Simple as that, they may take a while to fix and that’s whatever, totally understand.

But am I ok with totally missing features and systems?...that’s something else. And that’s what I would like to ask the community..again not wanting to be mean or anything, just would like to know other community members opinions

I have only had access to the completed products because I use STEAM version of DCS World. My only complaint about early access is that it is not available through the STEAM distribution and as such I can't enjoy the earlier WIP release of a new module... For example the AV8B or F/A-18

But am I ok with totally missing features and systems?...that’s something else.

Early access can never be feature-complete.

I suspect the OP's post is actually just a thinly veiled post about the F/A-18's launch content. No?

If it is, then all I'm going to say is that you have the option to wait until later in EA to purchase when it's got more stuff in it. I will be doing just that.