Game development, even in a Triple-A game development studio or company; always start their game off in many different states. Like many things there are many different versions or copies of the game before its official release. Some of the most common names for game versions are alpha and beta. The alpha is one of the game’s earliest forms, usually one of the first playable versions of that game. An alpha usually contains the game’s most basic concepts and gameplay elements that can be expected in the final product. Alpha is an unfinished product put out by the developer to allow public and private testers, test play their game and find flaws in the game’s code before its beta stage.

Steam, the platform that many Triple-A and indie (small company) developers release their games, on allow for companies to release their game in their pre-release state, which allows for a public testing and gameplay. Many games on steam store now are being released before they’re even close to being finished. The games that take advantage of the alpha and beta testing on steam allow for players to buy the game at a very low price in its most primitive state to see what the final product may look like. This tactic is very similar to what many high budget films such as Star Wars do. The newest Star Wars movie had early showings (which can be compared to as a game demo), and a short 15 minute showing (which can be compared to like and alpha or beta state of a video game.) This is a new marketing tactic that now many video game publishers are adopting; usually a multiplayer game that can quite potentially have many bugs, glitches, and errors. This tactic is a good way to pick up fans for a game series, but also is a good way to turn away gamers with a lack of content that is usually available in alphas or beta states.

Alphas usually have a lack of content which is a given because it is an unfinished version of the game. The alpha can scare away players because an unfinished product can turn people, away just like an unfinished piece of art or something similar, it has potential but you really can’t tell just by how it is in its current state. Many publishers take the risk of releasing a bug filled, alpha game, but it allows for the foresight and thoughts of its potential players. If the game is going to be massive with so many possible issues than it would be beneficial if the company released their game early so that they can get positive and negative feedback.