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When is Starfield Early Access and how to play it

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Starfield's early access is available soon to those who are willing to pay extra

Starfield
(Image credit: Bethesda)
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Starfield Early Access will be available very soon to anybody who's willing to buy the Premium or Collector's version of the game, with early access period granted five days early. And though they're both a lot more expensive than the standard version of Starfield, there's other perks that come with them besides the idea of getting to play the game early. For those who want to to know the details, here's everything you need to know about early access for Starfield below, including when it unlocks, and how you can get it for yourself.

When does Starfield Early Access start?

Starfield

(Image credit: Bethesda)

Starfield Early Access starts "up to 5 days" prior to release. That particularly woolly wording basically reflects the game is unlocking at the same time for everyone across the globe, which means for our friends over in the US Starfield Early Access starts on August 31, whereas for everyone east of the UK it's September 1. 

You can find the exact Starfield Early Access unlock times for each major territory listed below: 

  • NZ - 12PM September 1
  • AUS - 10AM September 1
  • EU - 2AM September 1
  • UK - 1AM September 1
  • ET - 8PM August 31
  • PT - 5PM August 31

For completeness' sake, we've also included Bethesda's handy map for more intricate time zone breakdowns

Unlock times for Early Access and full release of Starfield

(Image credit: Bethesda)

How to get Starfield Early Access

Vasco the robot companion stands next to a ship in Starfield

(Image credit: Bethesda)

Starfield Early Access is open only to those who buy either the Premium Edition or Constellation Edition of Starfield, more expensive editions of the game. Here's the basics of what these editions include and cost:

Starfield Premium Edition ($100/£100, digital or physical options)

  • Base Game
  • Up to 5 days Early Access 
  • "Old Mars Skin Pack" with alternate skins for Laser Cutter, Deep Mining Helmet and Deep Mining Pack
  • Shattered Space Story Expansion (upon release)
  • "Constellation Skin Pack" with alternate skins for Equinox Laser Rifle, Spacesuit, Helmet and Boost Pack
  • Access to Starfield Digital Artbook & Original Soundtrack

Starfield Constellation Edition ($300/£250, physical only)

  • Base Game
  • Up to 5 days Early Access
  • "Old Mars Skin Pack" with alternate skins for Laser Cutter, Deep Mining Helmet and Deep Mining Pack
  • Shattered Space Story Expansion (upon release)
  • "Constellation Skin Pack" with alternate skins for Equinox Laser Rifle, Spacesuit, Helmet and Boost Pack
  • Access to Starfield Digital Artbook & Original Soundtrack
  • Steelbook Display Case
  • Constellation Patch
  • Starfield Chronomark Watch and Case
  • Credit Stick with Laser-Etched Game Code

There's also a Premium Edition upgrade for anyone who's already bought the Standard Edition and wants to get access to all the aforementioned premium goodies - including Starfield Early Access. Great option for those on Game Pass too. 

Obviously this means you're going to have to pay more money than you would pay for the base game if you want Early Access, but you are getting more than just the Early Access period for that extra money spent, which may be enough to appeal to many.

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Joel Franey
Joel Franey
Guides Editor, GamesRadar+

Joel Franey is a writer, journalist, podcaster and Very Tired Man with a BA from Brunel University, a Masters from Sussex University and a decade working in games journalism, often focused on guides coverage but also in reviews, features and news. His love of games is strongest when it comes to groundbreaking narratives like Disco Elysium, UnderTale and Baldur's Gate 3, as well as innovative or refined gameplay experiences like XCOM, Sifu, Arkham Asylum or Slay the Spire. He is a firm believer that the vast majority of games would be improved by adding a grappling hook, and if they already have one, they should probably add another just to be safe. You can find old work of his at Eurogamer, Gfinity, USgamer, SFX Magazine, RPS, Dicebreaker, VG247, and more.

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