I understand now.
"Also, if I'm busy and don't download the early access version of 1.5 when it comes out, will I still be able to download it when it drops to a lower price point?"
You can always download it later if you missed it as early access, or simply can't afford to purchase it at that price point/don't want to pay that much. I offer "EARLY ACCESS" for those who do not like supporting developers through Patreon for their own reasons, and it lasts until the game goes out of early access (2-3 weeks). Pricing does indeed change but only goes down from the usual starting point of 30$, once every 5 days or so. Once it has reached the lowest point of what is considered an early access tier, it then goes on sale/monthly bundle, etc. Early access just means getting it sooner, not being the only ones who get it. You can get it at a later date for a lower price, but after 2-3 weeks of early access.