Overview
- IO Interactive posted exact global launch times this week, setting 24-hour early access on May 26 and a public release on May 27 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC.
- Early access is limited to digital pre-orders through storefronts such as PlayStation Store, Xbox, Steam and Epic, and standard pre-orders are automatically upgraded to the Deluxe Edition at no extra cost.
- The publisher published local unlock clocks (for example, 10:00 a.m. EDT / 7:00 a.m. PDT / 3:00 p.m. BST) so players worldwide know when their copy will unlock.
- IO Interactive confirmed the rollout blocks the so-called New Zealand trick and that physical-disc buyers will not receive the official 24-hour head start.
- The timing follows IOI’s recent gold build confirmation and mirrors a common industry approach of tying short early access and cosmetic bundles to digital pre-orders while the Switch 2 port is scheduled later in 2026.