Is Starfield Free?

Starfield was first released to early access users on September 1st, and then it rolled out globally on September 6th. It’s an Xbox and PC exclusive (sorry, PlayStation fans) that has rapidly taken the gaming world by storm, offering unparalleled depth and almost unlimited opportunities to explore a near-endless universe. However, there’s one question that’s plaguing newcomers the world over – ‘Is Starfield free’?

It’s a fair question – these days, some remarkable and surprising games are free to play. It can be a confusing world with all these subscription services floating around, too. For the uninformed, Starfield is an enormous, open-world RPG that took Bethesda Game Studios more than a decade to develop. It’s one of the most ambitious games in history and it’s turning heads all across the industry – but is Starfield free?

Let’s find out.

Does Starfield Cost Anything?

It’s a tricky question to answer, as there’s one way you can technically get Starfield for free – but it’s not exactly free.

As it’s an Xbox exclusive that has been developed by a studio owned by Microsoft, Starfield is available on Game Pass for no extra cost. That means it’s free with Game Pass but you need to pay for Game Pass to get access to it – do you see what we mean? However, given that there are many campaigns ongoing all the time that can net you a free month or even a three-month subscription to Game Pass, you can essentially get Starfield for free.

But it’s not free outside of Game Pass.

So, is Starfield free in a general sense? No, it’s not – there’s a standard price tag that applies.

Related: Guide to Docking in Starfield

What Editions of Starfield Are There?

Firstly, you’ve got the ‘standard’ edition, that much is obvious. It’s the no-frills offering that’ll set you back between $50 – $70, depending on where you buy it. It’s the base game and nothing else – no added content, no digital bonuses. Then, you’ve got the Premium Edition, and that’s the version that more than two million gamers bought ahead of the game launching globally on September 6th.

That’s a remarkable fact for one reason – the Premium Edition costs around $100. It does come with several added benefits and bonuses, as well as some limited edition content like digital artbooks and a soundtrack, but the real kicker was that it got users access to the game five days early.

At the top of the Starfield table sits the Constellation Edition. This seriously sumptuous Collector’s Edition boasts a hefty price tag – some $300 – but it comes with some incredible bonuses, especially for those who already know they’re going to be die-hard fans of this new franchise. In the Constellation Edition, players get access to a replica Chronomark watch from Starfield, all presented neatly in a replica watch case that can be seen in Starfield.

There’s also a Premium Edition copy of the game in the box, along with a ‘Credstick’, patches, and a heap of extra content.

Is Starfield free, then? It certainly isn’t if you want one of these editions!

Related: Is Starfield on PlayStation?

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