Just curious what can be done for players investing time currently and expecting a future wipe for 1.0
Early Access is beta. There has never been any serious beta where benefits carry over.
It would cause a serious gap between early adopters and incoming players, which would breed resentment.
Your reward is the exclusive Cerim armor that comes with ordering during early access.
You could ask that this reward be improved, but you’re not going to keep character or story progression.
If you feel like you’re gonna burn out or spoiling yourself on the story, then don’t play the early access and wait for 1.0
The whole point of Early Access is that you’re helping developers shape the game with feedback. That’s your reward, to have a more impactful role in the design trajectory of a game you are invested in.