I'm not usually the jealous type, but the news of someone playing "Starfield" early on definitely got my envy synapses going.

The news jumped out at me when Reddit user cyberRakan saw Starfield in the "Popular with Friends" segment on Xbox. Who are those lucky few? Turns out it was Microsoft Games Division CEO Phil Spencer and Bethesda Softworks Senior Vice President Pete Hines, not regular folks like you and me

. It is worth noting here, however, that the game must be in pretty good shape to play, given that it is in front of an executive.

This is to be expected, given that the release date for Starfield has been set for September 6 and is only a few weeks away; as Spencer and Hines are playing, it seems unlikely that the release date will be shifted; Starfield's original release date of 2022 November 11, 2022, was not met.

Open-world Bethesda blockbusters have a reputation for releasing with bugs, so let's hope that what Spencer and Hines are experiencing is top-notch as well. With Microsoft's support, we hope that "Starfield" will have fewer technical quirks than "Skyrim" at launch.

If you want Early Access to Starfield, you can get it. Not as early as Spencer and Hines' access, but if you pre-order the digital premium edition of Starfield, you can play this sci-fi game up to five days before release.

In addition, this edition will also give you access to digital extras such as a soundtrack and artbook, and will be bundled with Starifeld's first story expansion, dubbed "Shattered Space," when it is released at an undisclosed date.

Those who want even more Starfield can opt for the more expensive Constellation Edition, which also includes a smartwatch and additional in-game items. For more information on how to pre-order the Starfield Constellation Edition, please see this guide.