Starfield Likely Already Has 2 Million+ Players Thanks to Early Access Premium Sales

Starfield officially releases tomorrow, and yet, it’s estimated there are already over 2 million people playing the game. How so? Well, if you shell out for the Starfield Premium Edition, you get to play the game 5 days early. While we don’t have hard numbers yet, PlayTracker has analyzed user data, and estimates the game has sold over a million copies on both Steam and Xbox Series X/S. Of course, with the exception of a few reviewers and influencers, all those folks playing must have purchased the Premium Edition.

Based on our user sampling data so far, PlayTracker estimates #Starfield has far surpassed the 1M player milestone on both Steam and XBOX with just the Premium Edition buyers.

Sampling data comes in slowly, with a delay. Full launch is tomorrow, we’ll be watching the fireworks. pic.twitter.com/t9t3J7olbD

— PlayTracker (@PlayTrackerNet) September 5, 2023

“Based on our user sampling data so far, PlayTracker estimates #Starfield has far surpassed the 1M player milestone on both Steam and XBOX with just the Premium Edition buyers. Sampling data comes in slowly, with a delay. Full launch is tomorrow, we’ll be watching the fireworks.”

The Starfield Premium Edition costs $100, and gives you 5-day early access to the game, the upcoming “Shattered Space” story expansion, some exclusive skins, and more. Premium editions that grant early access are becoming increasingly common, and given these Starfield sales estimates, it’s easy to see why. If early access can entice millions of players to plunk down some extra cash, you’re going to see publishers increasingly rely on the tactic.

Haven’t been keeping up with Starfield? Wccftech’s Francesco De Meo found it to be a top-notch RPG, even if its galaxy isn’t quite as seamless as promised in his full review…

“With an engaging story, well-developed characters and lore, and a huge amount of meaningful content, Starfield is one of Bethesda’s finest games and one of the best role-playing games released in the past few years. The lack of seamless exploration and real innovation of the typical gameplay formula from the studio are noteworthy, but those willing to forego these issues will find a reactive and sprawling sci-fi universe to lose themselves in for hundreds, if not thousands, of hours.”

Starfield arrives on PC and Xbox Series X/S everybody (not just Premium Edition buyers) on September 6. Will you be playing? Or have you already been exploring the galaxy since that early access September 1 release date?