Good example of the benefit of early access:

"The first thing that's different is that the game is actually fun now," joked Boyer of the game's transition from alpha to the beta. The alpha was a bare-bones framework of Stardock's goals for GalCiv III, but Boyer said that "most of the game dynamics are in now," some of which were designed with the help of fans who put down money for the Founder's Elite Edition of the game. "One of the advantages of doing the Founders' program the way we did was that we got this hardcore, core fanbase that really cares and they're constantly giving us feedback." he said, adding how some features - like orbital shipyards that can be supplied by multiple planets - were included out of discussions with fans. "A lot of it is really good."

I've always said that early access is something that should be intended for the extremely dedicated, not general consumption. I know I'm going to love this game but I certainly don't want burning the hours it will hold my attention beta testing it.