Sony looking at a Steam-like early release program

Saw this on a Polygon post on FB:

Steam's early access program allows players to purchase and try games that are still in active development. This allows the developers to bring in revenue that helps fund the final development of the game, while using its player-base for feedback and bug reports. Sony has now stated that it's looking at a similar system for the PlayStation 4.

"That’s one of the massive conversations we have internally — that, at what point does [a game meet standards of release]?" Sony's Adam Boyes said in an interview with Gamasutra. "We still at some point ensure that we're being mindful of the consumer. We don't want somebody to stumble across that title and expect a full product, and have a negative experience."

This sort of system would allow Sony to attract a wider array of gamers, including those who would be willing, and interested, in paying for an early copy of the game and helping give feedback for development. "That's the thing — we live in a different world. There are different types of people. There people who always back games, enjoy Kickstarters, try things that they know aren't finished but are willing to help make better," Boyes continued.

The challenge is moving a program that works well on PC, and often includes a number of disclaimers, onto consoles, where players often expect a higher level of polish and a smoother experience. "Honestly, we're working through that right now. We're figuring out what's OK," Boyes said.
"We obviously have our tech requirement checklist that people have to adhere to. So we're internally discussing, what does that list look like this? What are the caveats? Stuff like this. So it's still a project that a lot of minds are considering. No details yet, but it's something on the top of my mind every day."

Cool. Looks good to me. I'll be interested too see where this goes.

I would think it would be easier for Microsoft and Sony to just create steam boxes and get a cut of that market share while also controlling the biggest portion of the console market as well.

So basically paid betas. 

I could see this being a decent idea but at the same time say you pay for a game in early development and the game ends up being cancelled or completely changed in a way you don't like.  Then you're out the cost of the game.  I suppose that's the chance you'd take and need to understand that going in.

i really dont think   sony or MS for that matter  can fully pull of a steam type system (unless they came up with there own steam box and just brand it sony or ms  like other companys are doing)
you get so much from steam other then just games.


would be cool and is a good idea but dont see it working out  in the long run/



plus come on Steam sales will never be +1 up'ed those are the days all hope/money is lost

OneBadHuskerFan wrote:So basically paid betas. 

I could see this being a decent idea but at the same time say you pay for a game in early development and the game ends up being cancelled or completely changed in a way you don't like.  Then you're out the cost of the game.  I suppose that's the chance you'd take and need to understand that going in.

This might be worth it if you paid for the "beta" and we're able to apply that payment towards the full game if you bought it.  That or they could give you a discount on the purchase or some type of bonus DLC or something.

S7 SockPuppet wrote:

OneBadHuskerFan wrote:So basically paid betas. 

I could see this being a decent idea but at the same time say you pay for a game in early development and the game ends up being cancelled or completely changed in a way you don't like.  Then you're out the cost of the game.  I suppose that's the chance you'd take and need to understand that going in.

This might be worth it if you paid for the "beta" and we're able to apply that payment towards the full game if you bought it.  That or they could give you a discount on the purchase or some type of bonus DLC or something.

How it works on Steam is if you pay early access ("Paid Beta") for a game, you won't have to pay for the full release.

Steam wrote:Is this the same as pre-purchasing a game?
No. Early Access is a full purchase of a playable game. By purchasing, you gain immediate access to download and play the game in its current form and as it evolves. You keep access to the game, even if the game later moves from Early Access into fully released.

Also, some times it is cheaper to get in early too.

@ Sticky - They are not trying to recreate Steam, just the early access program.  Also, isn't a PS4/X1 already a "Steam Box"? and isn't a "Steam Box" actually just trying to copy the home console business with a dedicated game box hooked up to a TV?

I really don't see much of a difference and I don't see why this could not work on consoles.  Heck we are already starting to see pretty good sales on the consoles.  I think a hybrid business model would work just fine.

S7 Interseptor wrote:Also, isn't a PS4/X1 already a "Steam Box"? and isn't a "Steam Box" actually just trying to copy the home console business with a dedicated game box hooked up to a TV?

I really don't see much of a difference and I don't see why this could not work on consoles.  Heck we are already starting to see pretty good sales on the consoles.  I think a hybrid business model would work just fine.

I agree completely.  How is a steam box different except for not having an optical drive and using a mouse and keyboard in addition to a controller?  So consoles just need to add a mouse and keyboard, which I'm kinda surprised they haven't already.

Also, I saw somewhere today that MS is also looking into the early-release program for the X1.