Early access is fast becoming a dominant force in video game development. From independent studios to huge, publisher-backed AAA titles, opening up a game to players ahead of its official launch provides real benefits across design, QA, marketing and more. However, these rewards come at a cost. Using a range of examples from the development of Arma 3 -- from its public alpha to its beta, final release, and post-launch support -- Bohemia Interactive creative director James Crowe examines the failures and successes of his studio's early access strategy in this GDC Europe 2014 talk. Crowe also suggests some techniques that can be used by other developers to perfect their own plans. The free video (embedded above) of 'A Great Disturbance in Development: The Dark Side of Early Access' is now available to watch here on the GDC Vault.

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