Death Stranding 2 will release for PS5 on 26th June 2025, except it actually doesn't — if you wait until the official launch date, you'll already be two days late. Publishers are increasingly offering "early access" to titles in the pricier versions of their games, and now Sony has joined the trend with the latest Kojima Productions effort.
If you buy the $230 physical Collector's Edition or $80 Digital Deluxe Edition, you can begin playing the PS5 exclusive 48 hours early, from 24th June. However, are you actually paying to play the game early? The growing backlash towards the incentive argues no, you're not.
Unlike games such as Hades 2 or No Rest for the Wicked, which use the Early Access term in the correct way (they're both still very much in development and you're gaining access to them up to a year in advance of the full release), the phrase in relation to Death Stranding 2 and Forza Horizon 5 (another upcoming game offering "early access") feels a little manipulative.
When the "early access" version of Death Stranding 2 arrives on 24th June, that is the final product. It is the version that Kojima Productions intends for everyone to play, even if they've pre-ordered an edition that's out two days later. You are not really paying to play early at all because that's the actual release date. If anything, it's the other way around: those who want to pay the usual $70 are losing out and are being delayed by two days instead.
This is a questionable enough tactic from publishers on its own, as it offers a temporary bonus designed to make you spend more money over the standard version. However, as PS5 owners are pointing out, this particular example is even more egregious since Death Stranding 2 is such a story-heavy game. It'll be possible for plot spoilers to hit the Internet via a publicly accessible version of the experience that's judged to be fair game by Sony, and not an unintended leak.
In the short term, at least, this tactic of selling a more expensive version under the guise of "early access" is not going away. A browse of the pre-order section in the PS Store reveals Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4, Atomfall, Forza Horizon 5, The First Berserker: Khazan, DOOM: The Dark Ages, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, and Hell Is Us all offer forms of early access if you purchase the more expansion version.
The argument is: you're not paying to play early; you're paying to avoid starting late.
Have you bought a more expensive version of a game in order to play early? (838 votes)
- Yes, I have bought expensive versions for early access
- No, but I would do it for the right game
- No, I would never pay more for early access
- I don't know / I'm unsure
Comments 58
Even if only a hand full suckers pay extra to play a few days early it makes it worth it to the publisher/devs. It costs pretty much nothing to them to milk a few extra dollars out of people who can’t wait.
I certainly won't, but that doesn't mean no one will.
Not as bad as WWE 2k25 this year - a full weeks 'early access' for the 2 higher priced packs.
And even though 'early access' started Friday, the bulk of the reviews arent out yet....
NB for clarification, I am not saying reviewers are slow - Im saying either review copies were sent out too late for reviews to be ready for this 'early access' period, or only 'select' sites got review copies early enough, or there is still an embargo in place (with early access already started). Any of which sets alarm bells ringing.
I don't know any game that would make me pay more just to play a few days early. I think it would even dissuade me from buying a collector's edition. It's like the Disneyland fast pass, so people who spend more can give the finger to others... Such a nasty way of conducting business.
Also I'm more in favour of late access, as in setting a price alert on 3camel. I still have a trillion games in my backlog to keep me busy.
@HRdepartment People who pay extra created the problem. They are the problem. It's the same people who encourage scalpers to keep at it.
My answer is not on this option:
"I pay for collector editions or deluxe editions for the other digital goods or physical statue. Early access just a nice added bonus. Even if publisher does not offer early access, I probably still purchase the expensive editions if the goods enticed me enough"
As to the question - have I ever bought a more expensive edition / pack, JUST to play early - no, never.
But there have been times I have bought a more expensive edition because I want the extras, with it also coming with a few days early access - which has not been a deciding factor for me - its just so common these days.
I always wait for reviews including Technical analysis (mainly to ensure more or less locked 60 fps) for most games, unless I have already played a demo, or its Sony 1st party game as their fps is usually immaculate.
Honestly i don't care. I usually buy the "deluxe" or "premium" versions of games so i usually get the early access release but its not really the main incentive for me.
I think the poll needs an option: Do you pay for collectors or digital deluxe editions to get the extra stuff and the early access is just a bonus?
I've purchased several collectors editions to get extra stuff, but never to play early. Not sure if any of them offered early access but I wouldn't pay for it, but I have and will pay for more stuff if it seems worth it.
Not for this game, haven't played the first, usually JRPG.
I do agree with the main point, you are paying the most money for a day 1 edition,everyone else is getting it late, but I'm still trying to explain to people how paying $140 a year isn't getting you FREE shipping, so you're fighting this battle without me.🤑
I don't really see the issue with this practice. Once again, gamers are being the most entitled bunch of babies on the internet. It's not just the early access people are paying for. It's the other extras. Early access is just an additional bonus. Most of y'all are just looking for something to bitch about lol.
I’ve spoken against this practice for a while but it’s so amusing how these kinds of things are only a big deal when Sony does it.
I myself never pay for early access but i don't see the issue with this practice. If someone wants to pay $5-10 more so they can play the game early then let them.
But i hope these people who got early access don't spread spoilers like screenshot and video. Maybe Sony can locked the share feature until the game is officially released although people can record from their phone :/
I did pay early access for Silent Hill 2 as I wanted to play it that weekend. I have no problem with the concept as it is an easy way to get more money without stripping out content or locking stuff behind a deluxe version.
@HRdepartment if they get the enjoyment from it , and there are normally other bonus items included , why not? i mean its their money , i wouldn't exactly call them suckers if they are getting what they paid for.
I don’t like the practice in principle but I can’t say I’m all that bothered if someone is willing to pay more to play earlier, and spoilers will inevitably be out within hours of release anyways.
@twitchtvpat my bad. I should have been more clear. I was referring to the early access portion only. Not the deluxe edition extras.
That being said. It’s doesn’t really bother me too much. It’s not something I’d really want to pay extra for. But it is kind of sleazy.
I won't be paying for early access to Death Stranding 2, I will be paying for access to that beautiful Death Stranding 2 steelbook and disc. 🙄
After what happened with Star Wars Outlaws, I would avoid early access like the plague.
@get2sammyb I’ve definitely heard complaints about it in just about every game that uses it. Weren’t there a lot of negative comments on the Forza Horizon 5 article? And at that time there was a lot people angry that Microsoft was doing it and acting like they were the only company to have it.
Paid early access is ridiculous no matter who does it.
I do it every year for MLB The Show [insert year here]. But I do it for the other incentives it offers (stubs, packs, cards, etc…) the early access is just an added bonus. I might be part of the problem, but…sorry, not sorry.
I personally don't really find this practice too annoying. I don't like it, but it also isn't annoying enough to bother me. At least for single player games. Spoilers are posted all over the place day one anyway even when this practice isn't acted upon so that argument doesn't really hold much weight. And hey, if people are willing to pay for it, well good for them. It doesn't really effect me at all.
Multiplayer games are a bit of a different story though since that can provide an unfair advantage. So for games like that, I can understand people being a bit more upset with early access.
you dont have to play it early and frankly in this day and age if your playing a game on release your playing the worst version of the game
wait a few months and play a fully patched version for cheaper
@breakneck 🙄
It’s a scummy tactic. Whoever does it.
Honestly, if this game is anything like the first entry, it’s probably best to hold off on it until people set up a crazy amount of zip lines and other stuff. Haven’t watched any trailers tho so I’m assuming we’re still delivering da packages like in the first game
Colin, if you’re reading this, did you get got?
@get2sammyb Thats simply not true. People made a big deal about paying for early-access with other publishers too, especially with story focussed games. LiS Double Exposure is one of them.
For the love of „god“ dont support these practices. And: „a letter from kojima“? Boy this man is so full of himself its annoying af
Early access is really a beta so I’ll wait, don’t want another outlaws situation
Its a scummy tactic because early access, is no longer early access as we knew it. Its used to be release or reduced price and the early access was in the form of a beta tester. This new model is just fomo greed, and like loot boxes should probably be looked at from a higher level.
Makes me laugh all these people oh bearly access I won't pay for that blah blah, can be damn sure GTA6 has 50 dollars more for 3 days early access most will change their tune rapid fast
Or…..hear me out. We just let people do what they wanna do with their own money, crazy concept right??
Never a fan of paid early access, but at least this time it's only 48 hours, and crucially it still launches before the weekend. The worst games that do have the early access date on a Friday and then launch for everyone else after the opening weekend.
@get2sammyb I think you are wrong on this one. I see plenty of push back on Pure Xbox, and other sites, every time Xbox does it with their AAA releases. I know i'm one of them!
Have to agree @awp69 and @Nalim here it gets bad press every time.
I don’t understand the backlash. I would argue that most preorder bonuses offer LESS, e.g. a costume, a weapon skin, a couple skill points, some music tracks or art models. At least for the ~$20, one is purchasing extra TIME with the game which is actually worth something as opposed to a virtual costume.
Preorder bonuses are so easy to ignore that I’m surprised anyone gets up in arms about it. I’m totally fine that others are willing to pay a few extra bucks for a few days of EA. It literally has no effect on my purchase or enjoyment of the game.
Personally for me, the only time I upgrade to Deluxe or go in on a preorder is the rare time that the bonus actually includes additional/DLC content (e.g., Alan Wake 2 did this, and AC: Shadows is currently offering this).
I bought the deluxe version of Two Point Museum on PC which included weekend early access, but that’s more because I was able to get the deluxe for a price barely above the price of the standard edition and it had some extra maps. But without that discount, no I wouldn’t have bothered. I certainly wouldn’t do it at normal console pricing.
Honestly, I feel far too many people are far to invested in what other people choose to spend their money on. If you don't like something don't spend your money on it, simple as that. Whining about something that doesn't affect you in any meaningful way is pointless. Support what you want, disregard what you don't. A waste of money to you might hold value to someone else.
@StrickenBiged stand down
@themightyant it’s the same few of us who protest on PX that also protest here.
There’s the usual posters who support everything MS does regardless that don’t mind it
I am getting the collector's so I'm happy with that. Now I just need one or two days off work
@PsBoxSwitchOwner Agreed it's often the same people here, but I see similar complaints everywhere I look on most games that do it. Twitter/Bsky, discord, Youtube comments etc.
To be honest a SMALL part of me is getting used to it and thinks if other people want to pay for early access and that just means games don't increase in price sooner than they might have then i'm not as annoyed about it as I once was.
But I still don't like it, especially when they only give first weekend access to the early access payers. You might as well almost make it a week delay at that point for many.
Whilst it is 'manipulation', its still going to be in the records as releasing on the 'Official' date, not 2-5 days early.
It's a bit like shops getting their physical media in days before the official launch to ensure they have stock for 'Day 1' or mail order to dispatch in time to arrive on Day 1. If you were 'lucky', you may have got to buy or receive it early - now its just a 'free' bonus that Publishers can offer to encourage gamers to 'pre-order' as the 'bonus' is pointless on Release day. Its 'free' to giveaway - the Game code is often in the hands of Reviewers etc so nothing has had to be developed specifically for this.
If you don't want to play Day 1, let alone 'early', then don't spend money. I don't think it really matters if a 'few' decide to pay for 'Premium' Editions when the game is at its most expensive, often $/£100+, they get to play a few days 'early' like all those reviewers etc. For those that buy the regular 'Standard' $70 to play on Release day, they are still playing on 'Day 1' as that day is the OFFICIAL release day for EVERYONE on that platform!
I don’t typically get something other than the base game, but this is an exception. If it’s a Kojima or Remedy game, I get the deluxe versions. Early access is a bonus, but truly I just trust Kojima’s vision and will support it as much as I can because I know I will enjoy what comes with it
It's definitely a bit scummy but I'm not sure it's that much of a problem
People pay more for early access to all sorts of things elsewhere
Yeah Liam, imagine how disappointed and pissed off are some people when some genius on the internet posts spoilers... So you will be taking the early access I guess...
At least this time they spared us of the additional scumminess of putting the early access on a weekend to push sales even more. Count your blessings folks darker days are comming.
@get2sammyb Sony and Microsoft 'does it' everytime a game goes on their store that has Early Access, they still get their cut from it, it doesn't have to be a First Party title to gain from it.
Let's face it, "early access" release day is the true release day now, and games cost c. £100 or whatever they charge for these "early access" versions. And what was formerly the release day is now the day on which you can buy the game at a discount.
The publishers just found a way to increase the retail price of games beyond the new-normal of £70 without most people noticing or getting upset about it.
Imagine paying extra to be a beta tester
I'll be booking the day off work and be buying this game on launch day which is something I hardly ever do nowadays. But, no way that I'll pay for early access.
@get2sammyb
"only a big deal when Sony does it" - have to mostly agree - I have already mentioned 1 game in an earlier comment that seems to have flown under the radar doing 1 week early access right now (WWE).
This is a common trend (something becoming a bigger deal when Sony do it) - is it just fanboys who hate Sony, other people being disingenuous because its Sony, or because people have always expected 'better' from Sony ie that they are held to a higher standard?
I'm obviously at a point in my life where I don't feel the need to get upset over every single little detail, especially not where an option exists to pay more to play earlier.
If you want to play earlier, pay. If you don't want to play earlier, don't pay. Simple.
As for the "spoilers may appear online!" crap - even if we all got the game at the same time, there will always be people who have ample time to play vs. those that don't, so people will always be further ahead than you, creating the risk of spoilers. Unless we all play at exactly the same pace, and pinky-promise not to post footage online, spoilers will always exist for high profile media.
I like this note though "This is a questionable enough tactic from publishers on its own, as it offers a temporary bonus designed to make you spend more money over the standard version." as that's how pretty much all pre-orders and special editions work these days - pay extra to get some special award. I've been running around Monster Hunter Wilds and Space Marine 2 with unique armor because I pre-ordered both. Are we against special editions and perks now? Are we all supposed to have exactly the same edition of the game and at the same time just so it's fair for everyone?
If you really think it's worth getting upset over any of that, you need to grow up.
In the past I did it quite a few times (I am talking about 5+ years ago), the last few years I think I did it only for Silent Hill 2.
But Death Stranding 2 I am 100% going to play on the 24th with the early access, I am too hyped about this game and it is Kojima after all, he deserves the extra income.
We live in an age where people who can afford to pay for privilege, do so. Simple. Whether it's buying a car(base model or top of the line), using a paid lane on the roads, or fast pass at amusement parks, buying a premium edition game over the vanilla version, or even ad-free tier on streaming platforms. People pay for privilege. Its OPTIONAL. Don't want the perks, then stay with the basic tier.
Sooo if you buy the CE that ships on june 26 how will you play early if the digital code is printed on a piece of paper which you wont get until after the 26th? I dont think they email the code to you.
@Skeletor85 kojima isnt paid the extra income after the game sells. He was already paid when the budget was set while making the game. Its the publishing company that gets the royalties of after game sales
I haven't before but if I'm going to do it for any game it would be this one.
I bought PoE2 early access (beta) because I loved the first game and I couldn't wait until the later part of this year to get the full(ish) version but I wouldn't pay £70 upwards for a few days early access..if I've waited years for it then a few more days won't hurt. It's like opening your Xmas prezzies in June.
it sucks, but people are already days and sometimes weeks late due to the media outlets and influencers having early access for their reviews. this is a model as old as time and affects movies as well. it really doesn't matter to anyone other than the FOMO crowd... so whatever.
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