Starfield Early Access: How to play 5 days early

Starfield Review
(Image credit: Windows Central)

With its huge variety of gameplay systems, vast galaxy of unexplored worlds, and the Bethesda role-playing mechanics that fans know and love, Starfield is unquestionably one of the most ambitious and enticing sci-fi RPGs ever developed. After years and years of waiting, the game is finally here — and from now until its global release on September 6, you can jump in if you've got Early Access.

Because Early Access allows you to blast off into Bethesda's new universe up to five days early, getting it is a very exciting opportunity for superfans. If you're hoping to play the game ahead of its full launch but don't know how, don't worry — we'll go over everything you need to know about getting Early Access below.

How to get Starfield Early Access

(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)

The main way to get Early Access to Starfield and play the game five days early is to preorder the Premium Edition of the game. At $100, this version of Starfield is considerably more expensive than the $70 Standard Edition, but it also includes some extra goodies that you wouldn't get otherwise.

In addition to Early Access, the Starfield Premium Edition also comes with Constellation skins for the Equinox Laser Rifle, Spacesuit, Helmet, and Boost Pack items, as well as Bethesda's Digital Starfield Art Book and a copy of the game's official soundtrack. You'll also get guaranteed access to the Shattered Space story DLC when it comes out (currently, it doesn't have a release date).

Right now, Newegg actually has a Starfield promo deal going on that allows you to pick up the Premium Edition with an $8 discount. That's not much, admittedly, but any savings for a brand new AAA title with this much hype behind it are nothing to scoff at. The deal is available for both the Xbox/Windows and Steam version of the game, too, so no matter where you're planning to play, you can take advantage.

Note that you can also get Early Access with the $300 Constellation Edition, a Collector's Edition-style Starfield bundle that features everything from the Premium Edition as well as some exclusive physical collectibles. These items include the gorgeous Chronomark Watch and Case, a Steelbook Case, a patch inspired by the in-game Constellation faction, and a Credit Stick with a laser-etched code for the game.

Starfield Premium Edition

Starfield Premium Edition

The Premium Edition of Starfield includes five days of Early Access to the game, access to the Shattered Space Story Expansion when it releases, a Constellation Skin Pack, and access to a Starfield Digital Art Book and its Official Soundtrack.

Buy at: Xbox | Steam (GMG) | Newegg (Xbox) | Newegg (Steam)

Starfield Collector's Edition

Starfield Collector's Edition

If you'd rather get the coolest and most extensive version of this sci-fi adventure, you're best off getting the Collector's Edition. It nets you everything from the Premium Edition (including Early Access!) along with a limited edition watch, steel book, Constellation patch, and a credit stick item that has a code for Starfield laser-etched on it.

Buy at: GameStop (Xbox) | Best Buy (Xbox) | Bethesda Gear Store (Xbox) | Best Buy (PC) | Walmart (PC) | Bethesda Gear Store (PC) | Amazon (PC)

Play Starfield Early Access with Xbox Game Pass

(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)

We wouldn't blame you for thinking that there's not a way to get Early Access to Starfield if you're planning to play the game on Xbox Game Pass, but there is one after all. That's because there's a special $35 Starfield Premium Edition Upgrade available exclusively on Xbox and the Microsoft Store — the platforms that support the console and PC versions of Game Pass, respectively. 

When bought, these upgrades will give access to all of the extras from the full Premium Edition, including the Constellation skins, story DLC access, and the Starfield Art Book and soundtrack. Notably, some retailers are selling physical versions of these upgrades that come with the Steelbook Case and Constellation patch from the Constellation Edition.

These Premium Edition Upgrades will only work if you have the base game, which you'll be able to play with a Game Pass subscription. As long as you do, you should be able to purchase a Premium Edition Upgrade on your chosen platform and get Early Access once the Starfield release time comes and goes.

Starfield Premium Edition Upgrade

Starfield Premium Edition Upgrade

This $35 upgrade is exclusive to Xbox and the Microsoft Store, and requires the base game in order to use. It gives Early Access like the regular Premium Edition does, and will be perfect for Xbox Game Pass users hoping to jump into Bethesda's RPG epic five days early.

Buy at: Xbox | Best Buy (Physical) | GameStop (Physical) | Walmart (Physical)


Starfield is finally here, and it's undoubtedly one of the best Xbox games and best PC games for lovers of space exploration, deep RPG gameplay, and the sci-fi genre as a whole. In our Starfield review, we declared it to be "an absolute triumph in gaming" and "one of Microsoft's best exclusive games in over a decade."

Brendan Lowry

Brendan Lowry is a Windows Central writer and Oakland University graduate with a burning passion for video games, of which he's been an avid fan since childhood. He's been writing for Team WC since the summer of 2017, and you'll find him doing news, editorials, reviews, and general coverage on everything gaming, Xbox, and Windows PC. His favorite game of all time is probably NieR: Automata, though Elden Ring, Fallout: New Vegas, and Team Fortress 2 are in the running, too. When he's not writing or gaming, there's a good chance he's either watching an interesting new movie or TV show or actually going outside for once. Follow him on X (Twitter).

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