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Steam Now Warns You If an Early Access Game Hasn't Been Updated In a While

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Published: February 5, 2025 9:36 AM

Valve has implemented a new feature on Steam that displays a warning when an Early Access game hasn't been updated in a while, but it looks like the feature might still need a few tweaks before it's as useful as it could be.

The feature was first spotted by Steam database service SteamDB. The new warning can be seen underneath a game's Early Access disclaimer and before the FAQ, and it tells consumers how much time has passed since the game's last update, as well as warning that store page info "may no longer be up to date".

A Bluesky user points to the page for Early Access RPG Heartbound as a "test" case for the warning, and indeed, a message is now displayed on the store page claiming that the last update for the game was "over 13 months ago".

The Steam store page for Heartbound, which shows the new Early Access update warning
A new Early Access warning now displays on Steam pages for which it's been a while since an update dropped.

As another user points out, though, a new update was released for Heartbound earlier this month, and even if that update was discounted, the last patch (albeit a small one) was released in April, which wasn't 13 months ago.

It looks like there might still be some kinks to iron out of this feature before it's fully ready, but it's a nice idea nonetheless, so I hope Valve can get it fixed up and get rid of this pesky issue soon.

If the new feature works as intended, it should hopefully discourage some from buying into Early Access games that have been abandoned, thus saving potential heartache when they realize the game they've bought will never be finished.

Of course, even in its intended state, the feature is just a warning, so it won't actually stop you from dropping your money on one of these games if you so choose.

The player brandishing an electric weapon at zombies in 7 Days to Die
Some games spend a very, very long time in Early Access, but that doesn't mean they've been abandoned.

It is, of course, also worth noting that some games on Steam spend a long time in Early Access, and they can sometimes go a good while without an update, but that doesn't mean they've been abandoned. As ever, make sure you do your research before making a purchase!

Another thing worth noting is that just because a game gets regular updates, that doesn't mean it's on track to be released. After all, legendary crowdfunding, er, "experiment" Star Citizen recently passed $750m in funding, and it still doesn't have a concrete 1.0 release date.

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Joe has been writing for TechRaptor for several years, and in those years has learned a lot about the gaming industry and its foibles. He’s originally an… More about Joseph