When do Preload and Early Access for Hogwarts Legacy start? When exactly can I start playing at release? We provide you with all the information and start times.
Harry Potter fans don”t have to wait much longer: On 10 February 2023, Hogwarts Legacy will finally be released, a role-playing game that many would-be wizards have wanted since childhood. And since some of you would like to start playing just in time for the release, the question arises: When does the preload start at all? When is Early Access available? And what is the exact release time?
We provide you with all the information on when you can download Hogwarts Legacy on which platform and start your school year as an up-and-coming wizard via Early Access:
- Release and launch time: When exactly will Hogwarts Legacy be released?
- Early Access: When will early access be available?
- Preload: When does the download start for which platform?
Last update: Feb 7, 2023
All info about release, early access and preload
Table of Contents
Release and launch time: When exactly will Hogwarts Legacy be released
Let”s first get to the release and launch times of Hogwarts Legacy. Namely, the specific dates of the Harry Potter role-playing game vary from platform to platform – not every version comes out on the same date or at the same time. So the launch dates and release times of Hogwarts Legacy are as follows:
- PC: On 10 February 2023 at 7pm German time.
- PS5 and Xbox Series X/S: 10 February 2023 at 00:00 hours German time.
- PS4 and Xbox One: On 4 April 2023.
- Nintendo Switch: On 25 July 2023
Early Access: when will it be available?
An Early Access phase is available for Hogwarts Legacy, allowing you to start playing up to 72 hours before the regular release. The specific Early Access dates are as follows:
- PC: On 7 February 2023 from 7 p.m. German time onwards
- PS5 and Xbox Series X/S: On 7 February 2023 from 00:00 hours German time
How do I get into Early Access? To play Hogwarts Legacy up to 72 hours earlier, all you have to do is dig a little deeper into your pocket: If you buy the Deluxe Edition for about 80 Euros or the Collector”s Edition (which is sold out by now) for about 300 Euros, you can make use of the Early Access of Hogwarts Legacy.
Preload: When will the download start for which platform?
Now preload on PC after all!
Originally, there was not supposed to be a preload for the PC version of Hogwarts Legacy. Surprise: Now there is! This was announced by the (official Twitter account) of the Harry Potter game shortly before the Early Access launch – the most important information about the PC preload can be found in the following lines:
To all PC Players of HogwartsLegacy, preloading is now available on Steam. This will be available for those playing during the Early Access Period and Global Launch. If you are not seeing the update please restart the Steam client. https://t.co/j2BWTKz80u
– Hogwarts Legacy (@HogwartsLegacy) February 7, 2023
When the preload starts: The preload of Hogwarts Legacy on PC is available via Steam since February 7, 2023. If you do not see the option to download, it is recommended that you restart Steam.
Preload on Playstation 5
When the preload starts: On PlayStation 5, the preload will start on two different dates. When you can get started depends on which version of Hogwarts Legacy you own:
- for purchasers of the Deluxe version: from 5 February 2023.
- for buyers of the Standard Version: from 8 February 2023
Preload on Xbox Series X/S
When the preload starts: On Xbox Series X/S, the preload of Hogwarts Legacy has already started. This means that you can already download the role-playing game. The download sizes are as follows:
- Xbox Series X: 76 GB
- Xbox Series S: 50 GB
Preload on Nintendo Switch
When the preload will start: Currently there is no info on when the preload of Hogwarts Legacy will start on Nintendo Switch. Since the Switch version of the role-playing game won”t be released until July 25, 2023, those are likely to be a while coming. As soon as we know more, we will of course update this review accordingly.
The most important info on Hogwarts Legacy
Hogwarts Legacy will be released on 10 February 2023 for PC, Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. The role-playing game takes place in the 19th century and thus long before the Harry Potter saga. We slip into the role of a new wizard student and must uncover an old secret of the school. In terms of gameplay, Hogwarts Legacy offers an open world, we can learn various spells and fight with them and learn to ride magical beasts.
What are your hopes and expectations for Hogwarts Legacy? Will you be playing the Harry Potter role-playing game or will you pass it up? Will you start Early Access 72 hours early or wait for the regular release? Let us know in the comments!
