Anthem VIP and open demo schedule, content, pre-loading and everything else you need to know
The upcoming Anthem demos offer players a real chance of getting hands-on time with BioWare's next big game.
The developer is seemingly bucking the trend of calling demos betas by going with the classic moniker instead. BioWare is hosting two demos for Anthem, with each offering access to a different group of players.
In this guide, we're going to round up every confirmed detail about the Anthem demos. From their timing, content, schedule, and even whether you'll be able to pre-load them, it's all here.
Anthem demo eligibility
Two Anthem demos are scheduled to start in the near future. Their content is identical, with the only difference being who is going to be allowed in each one.
Anthem VIP demo
The first, the Anthem VIP demo, is available only to players who pre-order on PC, PS4, or Xbox One. Those who pre-order digitally through the PlayStation or Microsoft Store won't have to do anything other than wait for the download to become available.
If you made your order at retailers like Amazon, GameStop etc., you should be given a unique beta token that guarantees you access. This is sometimes printed on the receipt, or emailed at some point after your order was made.
Note that this is not your beta code. To get your actual PS4 or Xbox One download code, you'll need to sign in using your EA account at the link and hit Redeem Code. This is where you can enter the token provided by your retailer to get your actual beta code.
EA Access members on Xbox One and Origin Access subscribers on PC (Basic or Premier) also have guaranteed access to the VIP demo. Similar to digital pre-orders, you won't have to do anything else.
Anthem VIP demo friend codes
There's also another way for players without any of the above to access the VIP demo. BioWare announced that anyone who downloads the VIP demo will receive three invites they can freely send to anyone.
This is done through the Refer a Friend page, where you should get a link you can send to up to three friends. All they have to do is click it and follow the instructions.
Crucially, those invited can pick any of the three platforms to play on, regardless of what your chosen version is. Meaning PC players can invite PS4, and Xbox One, and vice versa.
Some players with confirmed access have yet to get the page to load up, however. It's not yet clear if this is an issue that'll be fixed before the demo goes live or if it's a different problem. If you can't see the page despite having access to the demo, try to launch the client at least once before rechecking the page.
Anthem open demo
As the name suggests, this Anthem demo will be free to all players on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. You won't need to pre-order, subscribe to EA Access or do anything else to gain access.
As a bonus, if you're planning to play both demos, you'll only need to update the VIP install the week after, so you won't have to re-download the whole thing again.
Anthem demo schedule
Anthem VIP demo
The first Anthem demo will be available from Friday, January 25 to Sunday, January 27. Servers go live simultaneously across the world, at the times below:
- 9am PT
- 10am ET
- 5pm UK
It goes offline on January 27 at 6pm PT, 9pm ET, 2am UK (January 28).
Anthem open demo
The following week, the Anthem free demo goes live for everyone. Rollout times are the same, too. It'll kick off on Friday, February 1 and remain available until Sunday, February 3.
Likewise, you'll be able to play at:
- 9am PT
- 10am ET
- 5pm UK
The free demo shuts down on February 3 at 6pm PT, 9pm ET, 2am UK (February 4).
Anthem demo PlayStation Plus, Xbox Live Gold requirement
Both of Anthem's demos are always online, just like the game itself. This means you'll need an active subscription to PlayStation Plus, or Xbox Live Gold on your platform of choice.
And yes, this also goes for the open demo.
Anthem demo pre-load times
The Anthem demo client is available to pre-load now for players on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. The client ranges from 26GB on consoles, to a whopping 44GB on PC.
Anyone can download it, but only players with access to the VIP demo (or those invited) will be able to play on Friday, January 25. Even if you won't be jumping in during the first weekend, you should still download the client to be ready for the second run.
Anthem demo PC specs
Anthem players on PC will be happy to know that the recently announced requirements for the full game also apply to the demo. We've listed them below for convenience.
Minimum
- OS: 64-bit Windows 10
- CPU: Intel Core i5 3570 or AMD FX-6350
- RAM: 8GB
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 760, AMD Radeon 7970 / R9280X
- GPU RAM: 2GB Video Memory
- Hard drive: At least 50GB of free space
- DirectX: DirectX 11
Recommended
- OS: 64-bit Windows 10
- CPU: Intel Core i7-4790 3.6GHz or AMD Ryzen 3 1300X 3.5 GHz
- RAM: 16GB
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1060/ RTX 2060, AMD RX 480
- GPU RAM: 4GB Video Memory
- Hard drive: At least 50GB of free space
- DirectX: DirectX 11
Anthem demo content
BioWare is promising a good chunk of content for the Anthem demos. Since the two are identical, this goes for both. First, all players will start at level 10, somewhere at a midpoint in the game's story.
You'll be able to level your character up to level 15 doing pretty much anything the demo has to offer.
Javelins, Anthem's classes, will be relatively powerful thanks to pre-equipped weapons and abilities. Everyone will start off with the Ranger and later get to choose to unlock an extra one.
You'll be able to experience a story mission, a strike-like activity called strongholds, and get access to your home base, Fort Tarsis. Part of the game's open world will also be available in free play, yours to explore once you're done with the main event.
The levelling curve will be different in the demo compared to launch. You should also expect it to be more generous with rewards and in-game currency, to give you a chance to experience everything it has to offer.
It's worth noting that there are no time restrictions in place during the demo, so you can play for as long as servers are live.
Anthem demo progression
Any progress you make in the Anthem VIP demo will carry over to the open demo. That's about it, though, because nothing carries over to the full game at launch.
Anthem demo rewards
BioWare said players who jump in with the Anthem VIP demo will receive a free gift come launch, but it did not reveal what that is just yet.
Anthem releases February 22 on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. The game's EA and Origin Access trials kick off February 15. Head over to our main Anthem page for everything else we know.
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