Starfield Early Access: Get Ready to Explore Space Ahead of the Release

This guide breaks down the process of obtaining Starfield early access, ensuring you're informed about the start time.

Credit: Bethesda

Curious about getting early access to Starfield? Bethesda's long-awaited single-player RPG, Starfield, has finally arrived after nearly a decade of anticipation. In just a few hours, the early access for Starfield will kick off, allowing players to embark on a space-faring adventure and craft their unique journey among the stars. With over 1000 planets waiting to be explored, the prospect is both thrilling and monumental. If you're eager to make the most of every moment in the universe, you've come to the right place.

This guide breaks down the process of obtaining Starfield early access, ensuring you're informed about the start time.

Starfield Early Access Start Date and Time

The early access for Starfield begins on Friday, September 1, 2023, launching at the following times:

  • East US: Thursday, August 31 at 8pm (EDT)
  • Central US: Thursday, August 31 at 7pm (CDT)
  • West US: Thursday, August 31 at 5pm (PDT)
  • UK: Friday, September 1 at 1am (BST)
  • Europe: Friday, September 1 at 2am (CEST)
  • Australia: Friday, September 1 at 10am (AEST)
  • Japan: Friday, September 1 at 9am (JST)

This early access period begins five days prior to the official release of Starfield. However, Bethesda points out that "actual play time depends on purchase date [...] and applicable time zone differences." Considering the immense scope of Starfield, it's unlikely players will be able to make significant progress in just five days. But even if you don't secure early access, you'll still have the opportunity to watch gameplay streams and videos from those who do.

Naturally, with the expected popularity of Starfield's early access, server outages could occur due to the influx of players. And remember, this is a Bethesda game, so a completely seamless experience during early access might not be guaranteed!

Starfield weird artifact
Credit: Bethesda

Getting Early Access to Starfield

To access Starfield early, you must purchase either the Premium Edition or the Constellation Edition. These options are pricier compared to the Standard Edition, which most players will opt for. The Premium Edition costs £86 / $100 / €100, while the Constellation Edition is priced at £250 / $300 / €300. However, these editions come with various digital and physical extras, along with granting early access to the game. For more details, check our comprehensive guide on the different Starfield editions.

You can also upgrade your Standard Edition with the Premium Upgrade add-on for £35 / $35 / €35. This upgrade will also extend early access to Game Pass players who have the Standard Edition included in their Game Pass subscription.