Is August 12 the actual release date, or just when early access becomes publicly available?

The early access packs say they give access to stormgate during the July 30-August 12 preview period, and that vanguard chapters 2 and 3 are coming in the months following early access.

So is August 12 considered the end of early access? Or is August 12 simply when the early access becomes open to the public, as per the free to play model?

I would prefer to play when it is considered a finished product, not during early access.