Maybe Every Game Is 'Early Access'?

In this episode of TripleClick, hosts Maddie Myers, Jason Schreier, and Kirk Hamilton dive into the evolving concept of 'early access' in video games, sparked by a listener suggestion. They explore how early access—once a controversial practice of selling unfinished games—has become a defining feature of modern game development, particularly for narrative-heavy and systems-driven titles like Hades, Baldur's Gate 3, and Minecraft. The conversation unpacks the psychological and practical differences between early access and live-service games, emphasizing how early access fosters community, player feedback, and collaborative development. The hosts argue that all games, in a sense, are in some form of 'early access' due to post-launch updates, patches, and evolving player relationships—making games uniquely conversational mediums compared to static forms like film or books. They reflect on historical parallels in literature and theater, and consider how transparency in development (like behind-the-scenes content or playable early builds) deepens player engagement. The episode closes with personal 'One More Thing' recommendations: Jason praises the grounded Marvel series Wonder Man, Maddie champions the cult classic Beyond Good and Evil, and Kirk highlights a sharp, insightful YouTube analysis of the Saw franchise.