Starfield early access release date – how to play the Xbox blockbuster early

07 August 2023 , 05:00

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Starfield's official release date is later this year, but there's a way to play it early (Image: Bethesda)

The release date for Bethesda's blockbuster RPG Starfield is drawing ever closer, but there's a way to play the game even earlier.

We're now just weeks away from the release date of Starfield, and although the game has been delayed previously, don't worry, it's definitely, very nearly here. Bethesda's upcoming AAA title is available to pre-order in a number of different editions, including the premium Constellation Edition, and each edition comes with different benefits, including Starfield early access.

Here's how you can get early access to Starfield, and which edition of the game you need in order to play the game early.

Starfield early access release date

The Starfield early access release date is Friday, September 1, five days earlier than the game's official release date, which is Wednesday, September 6. But, to get early access, you'll need to pre-order either the Constellation Edition, the Digital Premium Edition or the Premium Edition Upgrade, with all of these editions coming with the Starfield early access benefit. It's also important to note that Starfield is an Xbox-exclusive title, and is only available for Xbox Series X|S and PC.

The cheapest way to get Starfield early access is to pre-order the Digital Premium Edition, which will set you back £99.99 / $99.99 / AU$169.95 Alternatively, Starfield will be available on Xbox Game Pass on release, so if you're a subscriber, you can grab a Premium Edition Upgrade for £34.99 / $34.99 / AU$59.95, giving you all of the benefits included with the Digital Premium Edition, just without the actual game (which is available on Game Pass anyway).

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In addition to Starfield early access, pre-ordering the game in this way will get you access to the Shattered Space story expansion (when it's released), a Constellation Skin Pack and access to the Starfield Digital Artbook and original soundtrack.

If you're lucky enough (or have a wallet big enough) to have pre-ordered the Starfield Constellation Edition, you'll get all the above benefits plus a steel book display case, a Constellation patch, a Starfield Chronomark watch and case, and a Credit Stick with laser-etched game code. This edition of the game will set you back £249.99 / $299.99 / AU$499.95 and is only available in the UK at Game, with the edition being available across various retailers in other countries.

Nathan Bliss