I understand why there is a divide between players who are defending the developers and those who are offering criticism. Both perspectives come from valid places. However, my concern is specifically rooted in how Early Access was marketed and how that term is commonly understood within the MMORPG community.
On December 11, the game was publicly marketed as Early Access. In the context of most modern MMORPG releases, Early Access typically implies that the core game is feature-complete and playable, even if it still requires polish, optimization, and bug fixing. In many cases, Early Access follows the Alpha and Beta phases and allows players to experience a largely finished product while providing feedback to improve stability and balance.
Because of this established industry norm, it is reasonable for players especially new or casual MMO players to assume that an Early Access title is no longer in an Alpha or Beta state. When players see “Early Access,” they expect a functional and accessible experience, not foundational systems still undergoing core development.
This is where the frustration arises. Marketing the game as Early Access while it is effectively still in an Alpha-level state creates a mismatch between expectations and reality. That disconnect can understandably lead players to feel misled, even if the developers did not intend to deceive. Transparency is critical in live-service games, particularly when players are investing both time and money.
My criticism is not meant to dismiss the complexity of game development or the passion of the development team. Rather, it is a call for clearer communication. Accurately labeling the development stage especially when monetization is involved—helps maintain trust between developers and the community and sets appropriate expectations for what players are entering into.
Clearer terminology and messaging would go a long way in reducing confusion and tension within the player base, allowing feedback to be more constructive and aligned with the actual state of the game.
