So, has anyone any idea how close we are to seeing a full release of the software?
Are we looking at this year, next or further?

If you mean out of EA i would guess around 6 months.
But the Wicked engine has lots more to offer yet with loads more features to enable so development will just continue.
Like other engines it will never really be fully finished just continuously improved.

Realistically, because GGM is an evolving software that will constantly change over time, it should be in EA forever. Which is why i disagreed with this whole early access nonsense to start with, Early Access is and always has been used as an excuse to sell half formed software before it's even close to ready.

Belidos makes a very good point. However they have informed it will come out of EA this year as a solid product however they have so much to do i cant see that myself. And as always they obsess on steam reviews and as predicted ass kiss the bad reviews and work hard to pander to their ridiculous demands. And so the original promised comes in basic crapavision. I hope they prove me wrong but with this its almost a repeat of classic from. What i see

Perhaps you would like to point me to an example of that.
The majority have been bugs and they have been asked \ pointed to the Github with a request to post the issue.
Of course there is a " Sorry your having this issue with Max " but that's just common courtesy.

@science boy
Still a ways to go for sure but at the rate they are going - if they just get what's already there solid - it is good for coming out of EA in my book.
Other features will just be a bonus from there on in.

Is there anything specific you are finding broken?

Thus far MAX is pretty darn good in my experience

OldFlak....

or it depends on the point of view; for me, EA is the way to get customers involved in the development of the game engine; who participate directly or indirectly, and who state that it should be added, improved, or simply removed.
I am happy to be able to follow the development of GGMax from scratch; these guys are working hard to get the end product that we all want.
There are always and there will be days when we will see the glass half empty.

To me early access is exactly as described on the tin with purpose.

What is Early Access?
Get immediate access to games that are being developed with the community's involvement. These are games that evolve as you play them, as you give feedback, and as the developers update and add content.

As i stated ul above
A. Theres still a hell of a lot to do broken plenty of things. And i just see new ideas taking precedent over the original ideas and im up for brainstorming just already tthe infinite terrain was a bit of a spin. And then not seen night and day. Vr and swimming has arrived but has a very basic underwater and the weather is still basic and that could of been done quickly im sure and sorted yet height map novelty seems to be the new in
B. I hope they prove me wrong
C. I know EA is EA and tbh i am ok with it
BUT they seem to be side tracking with height maps at present and the side tracking is what happened previous. It went sporadic and when that happens certain things get left by the wayside. Good to see some progress and as i said not on this post but othera i see progress however i see appeasing on steam. And it is good to see that they respond however it also makes me think that some thimgs are being delayed. Rpg was meamt to be in progress at present and they are now focusing on heights and the dlc pack with a few rpg bits.
As i say i hope they prove me wrong. Belidos got away with this one and i took it on the chin it appears lol

Height maps have been in for ages now - how are they the new in?

But yes much to do yet.

OldFlak....

I think Lee went into detail for the benefit of those in the competition or those wanting to but are unfamiliar with heightmaps.
Plus the fact its a gap filler for all the other work going on like RPG, VR etc that's not ready for public consumption yet.
We may get a few more like this in the meantime.