Anthem open demo schedule, content, pre-loading and everything else you need to know
Anthem demo start times - here's when you can get stuck in.
The upcoming Anthem demo offers 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. The VIP event got off to a rough start last weekend, so let's hope some of the issues have been ironed out in time for the open demo.
In this guide, we're going to round up every confirmed detail about the Anthem demo. From launch times, content, and even whether you'll be able to pre-load them, it's all here.
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, you just need to download the demo from your console's store or Origin/EA Access
If you took part in the VIP demo, you'll need to download an update but you won't have to re-download the whole thing again.
The Anthem open demo goes live for everyone on February 1 and will be available until Sunday, February 3.
You'll be able to access the demo at the following times on February 1:
- 9am PT
- 12pm ET
- 5pm UK
The free demo shuts down on February 3 at 6pm PT, 9pm ET, 2am UK (February 4).
Anthem open demo PlayStation Plus, Xbox Live Gold requirement
The Anthem demo will be fully 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.
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.
Anthem open 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 open demo content
BioWare is promising a good chunk of content for the Anthem demos. 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.
After a bumpy start to the VIP demo, BioWare has unlocked all the Javelins for use for those who took part, as well as gifting a few new Javelin skins.
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 in the open demo.
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 open demo progression
Any progress you made 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 open 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.