Anthem Early Access Release Is Live -- But Only For Select Players

Anthem isn't officially in wide release until next week, but members of EA's various membership programs can play it starting today, February 15. If you're a member of EA Access on Xbox One, or Origin Access on PC, you can access the game in one way or another right now--it's a bit confusing, hence the chart below outlining when and how you can play on each platform. You can check out some gameplay from us livestreaming the game in the video above.

With the game now being live, some players reported server issues earlier today, and EA Help's Twitter account has responded that it is aware of the problem and working on resolving it. Specifically, the errors include those telling players that matchmaking has failed and that no server has been found or is currently unavailable. In a further update, the EA Help account says it's "cleared up the connectivity issues," so things should now be working correctly for everyone. We'll continue to keep an eye out for any other problems that pop up.

EA has also outlined the slightly convoluted steps to finding the trial itself on the EA Access hub. You'll need to go through the hub, rather than the EA Access area of the My Games and Apps section.

1. Open the hub and refresh it (LT, RT, and Y).
2. Go to Anthem.
3. View the game.
4. Click the 3 dots and select Play Trial.

Both Access programs offer a 10% discount for purchases, but the two offer a different level of early access. The EA Access program offers only a 10-hour trial with progress that will carry over into the main game if you choose to purchase it. Origin Access also offers a 10-hour trial, but if you're a Premier member you can just begin playing the full game right now. PlayStation 4 has no Access program--at least not yet--and thus must wait until next week to start playing.

As part of the lead-up to Anthem's release, EA partnered with District 9 director Neill Blomkamp to create an original short film that takes place in the universe. If you're curious how Anthem will last you in the long-term, check out BioWare's roadmap for endgame content. And if you just need help navigating the world of pre-orders, bonuses, and special editions, read our pre-order guide. Anthem will be available for everyone on February 22.