Demo vs Early Access
What the free demo includes — and what EA adds after July 22, 2026.
Demo vs Early Access Comparison
Dirty Business offers a free Steam demo and a paid Early Access build that started July 22, 2026. They share art, controls, and core fantasy — underground production and tense order fulfillment comparable to Schedule I — but they are not the same product scope. This page prevents the most common post-purchase surprise: “I thought the demo was the whole game.”
Quick comparison table
| Topic | Free demo | Early Access (EA) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Paid (Steam EA) |
| Save data | Demo-only | Persistent EA saves |
| Content scope | 14 levels, 4 weed strains, 1 weapon | 6 strains, 3+ weapons, LSD, counterfeiting, 2 front companies |
| Co-op | Solo-focused demo builds | Up to 4-player online |
| Distribution | Elevator orders | Elevator + front companies + dealers + airstrip |
| Upgrades | Limited or scripted | Full upgrade trees (EA launch set) |
| Contracts | Tutorialized pressure | Broader tiers and economy |
| Updates | May patch separately | Primary development target |
| Purpose | Onboard & wishlist | Long-term play & feedback |
Always reinstall or verify build numbers on Steam if something below feels outdated — EA patches move faster than demo in some cycles.
What the demo is designed to do
Plan Dirty uses the demo to:
- Teach machine chaining and inventory routing
- Introduce timed orders and failure feedback
- Showcase setting and tone without spoiling entire EA arc
- Convert interest — 13k+ wishlists pre-launch show it worked for many players
Walkthrough support: demo levels guide.
The demo ends before persistent empire building. Treat it as a vertical slice, not a chapter select of EA.
What Early Access adds at launch
EA on July 2026 typically expands:
- Persistence — Ongoing base state, bank account, unlock progression
- Production breadth — More inputs, recipes, or quality layers than demo caps
- Contract economy — Repeatable business with margin tradeoffs; use profit calculator
- Spatial expansion — Larger or rearrangeable base versus demo set dressing
- Risk systems — Heat, patrols, or failure recovery beyond demo finale beats
Exact lists change with patches — cross-check release date and roadmap after major updates.
Saves and progression do not transfer
Demo progress does not import into EA saves. Skills transfer; items and unlocks do not.
Recommended path:
- Finish demo for mechanics — demo walkthrough
- Buy or skip EA based on review
- Start EA fresh with Early Access start guide
Economy and difficulty curve
Demo contracts often compress time to teach stress. EA can feel easier per-contract once upgrades exist — or harder if you over-expand too fast. Do not judge EA balance solely by demo intensity.
Use order planner in EA for realistic routing time; demo distances are not representative of full bases.
Feature parity myths
Myth: “Everything in EA is playable in demo if you look hard enough.”
Reality: Demo geometry and scripts gate content intentionally.
Myth: “EA is just demo without end screen.”
Reality: EA targets months of progression during ~1-year development.
Myth: “Demo updates always match EA patch day.”
Reality: Demo may lag; read updates hub when both bump version numbers.
Schedule I players switching over
Schedule I veterans often assume identical pacing (buy bigger plot, hire dealers, etc.). Dirty Business may front-load station puzzles where Schedule I front-loads territory. Demo vs EA differences matter because EA doubles down on machines and layout — compare loops in walkthrough hub rather than expecting a modded Schedule I clone.
When to stay on demo only
Stay free if:
- You want a weekend taste without paying
- You are waiting for 1.0 or sale pricing
- You need features listed only on roadmap as future
Switch to EA when repeat demo runs feel comfortable and you want persistence.
When to buy EA immediately
Buy when:
- Demo loops already feel restrictive
- You want to participate in launch-month balance discussion
- You plan to use wiki tools for serious contract planning
Post-launch maintenance
During Early Access, treat this page as living documentation. When demo scope changes — e.g., added machine tutorial — we note the build. When EA adds major systems, we update tables and link new walkthroughs.
Related: Release date · Updates hub · Walkthrough · Review
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions.
Does demo progress carry over to Early Access?
**No.** Demo and EA use separate saves. Relearn progression via Early Access start — mechanics already learned still help.
Is the demo removed after EA launch?
No — the demo stays **free on Steam** as an onboarding path. EA is the primary development focus per roadmap.
Which build gets patches first?
Typically **Early Access**. Demo may receive selective fixes or content adjustments later — check updates when version numbers diverge.
Are controls and UI identical?
Mostly yes at launch, but EA adds menus for upgrades, contracts, and base tools not present in demo tutorials. See demo levels for shared basics.
I only played Schedule I — should I do the demo?
Yes, unless you already bought EA. The demo teaches Dirty Business-specific station flow that Schedule I intuition alone might miss.
Where is the best EA starting guide?
Early Access start walkthrough after reading this comparison page.