'Starfield' Preload Details and How to Get Early Access

We’re close to the September 6 release of Starfield, and excitement for Bethesda’s space RPG is at an all-time high. It’s Bethesda’s first new IP in nearly 30 years, and given the developer’s pedigree, it’s easy to see why Starfield is such a big deal.

Now, thanks to confirmation from Bethesda, we know many of the launch details, including the game’s pre-load date and even its file size. Below, we’ll go through everything you’ll need to know to start playing Starfield right away (and even early, depending on the version you purchase).

Starfield Pre-Load Date and Time

According to Bethesda, the Xbox version of Starfield will be available to pre-load on August 17, 2023, while Steam players will need to wait until August 30.

This lines up with a previous Amazon leak, which initially noted the game would be available to pre-load “after” August 9. Given the large download size, you’ll want to install the game ahead of time to ensure you can begin playing right away.

Starfield File Size

According to Starfield’s Xbox and Steam page listings, it will be around 125 GB in size. The game may include a day-one patch, so it’s possible you’ll need to set aside a bit more than 125 GB of space when it launches.

Additionally, it’s possible the Xbox Series S version has a smaller file size than its Series X counterpart. We’ll update this post with further details if that’s the case.

How to Play Starfield Early

Purchase one of the special versions of Starfield, such as the Constellation Edition, to gain early access.

Since Starfield is one of the most anticipated games of the year, players will be happy to know they can play the game before its official September 6 release date. To do so, you’ll need to purchase one of the following versions of the game, which grants five-day early access on September 1.

These are the game’s special editions: