April 7 was a big day for Starfield. Free Lanes and Terran Armada both go live today, landing at the same moment the game finally arrives on PS5 for the first time. Bethesda has confirmed the exact unlock times worldwide, so here's the lowdown on when you can jump in.
When Free Lanes and Terran Armada unlock in your region
Both updates go live simultaneously across all platforms. Here's the full global schedule:
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Both Free Lanes and Terran Armada launch at the same time. You'll want to make sure your game is fully updated before the unlock hits so you're not waiting on a patch download.
What Free Lanes actually changes about the game
Free Lanes is the bigger structural shift of the two. The update completely reworks interplanetary travel, letting players physically fly between planets instead of navigating through menus to land. There's an autopilot option for players who'd rather explore their ship while the system handles the flying.
The update also packs in a significant amount of new content beyond just the travel overhaul. New points of interest are scattered across the galaxy, legendary enemy modifiers add variety to combat encounters, and X-tech ship upgrades give players more build options. Starborn powers can now be upgraded, and there's an asteroid base to use as a home base, a new land vehicle, and a Milliwhale pet for your outpost.
Free Lanes is free for all existing Starfield owners.
Terran Armada Incursions mode
Terran Armada is the paid expansion arriving alongside it
Terran Armada costs $10 and tells a new galaxy-spanning story where players face off against a robotic army backed by factions from both the United Colonies and the Freestar Collective. A new crewmate named Delta joins the roster as part of the expansion's storyline.
The headline gameplay addition is Incursions, a new mode that tasks players with taking on waves of Terran soldiers across the galaxy, with rewards distributed throughout. It's a distinct content layer from the main story, giving players a repeatable challenge to work through after finishing the narrative.
PS5 pricing and what's available at launch
PS5 players picking up the game today have two options. The Standard Edition is $50 and covers the base game. The Premium Edition runs $70 and bundles in the base game, all DLC released to date, and additional digital bonuses.
Xbox Series X|S owners aren't left out either. The digital edition has been repriced to match the PS5 launch price, and PC players can find discounts through Fanatical, where the standard edition sits at $44 and the Premium Edition at $61.50.
For anyone coming back to Starfield after a long break, or picking it up fresh on PS5, this is the most content-rich the game has ever been at launch. Check the latest gaming news for ongoing coverage as both updates roll out today. Make sure to check out more:
