Legacy of the Dark Knight is getting an early release for some players (and it's a tired trend)

This year is already packed with great releases, and next while Lego Batman While the game is just the icing on the cake for many, for me it's one of the most compelling releases of the year. As I am for LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark KnightHowever, the game is following a trend that became outdated a long time ago: Three day early access. Getting to play the game early is a pre-order benefit that has become common over the years, becoming so common that for some potential players, it's even expected. That doesn't make it a good thing though. LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark KnightThe release date is now going to vary depending on whether a player pre-orders or not, which is one of the industry's most tiresome marketing tactics.

Lego Batman: The Dark Knight's three-day early access legacy is just one of many

• The general release date is May 29.

• Early access is on May 26.

It's hard to pinpoint exactly which game started this trend, though Hellgate: London Often cited as one of the first to offer early access for pre-orders. That was all the way back in 2007, and nearly 20 years later, the tactic is one of the most common ways to encourage pre-orders. Hellgate: London It may not have directly kickedstarted the trend, but it was a drop in the gaming ocean that sent a wave of AAA publishers clamoring for pre-orders. Like a big game once Call of Duty Reached across the board, it marked a new standard of dividing the player base and punishing those willing to wait to see what critics and content creators think of the title in question.

Early access pre-order rewards almost always mean paying more for very little reward.

There are many games that could be put in the spotlight, however LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is a great example. There are two versions of the game, the standard version and the deluxe version. Of course, the Deluxe Edition is the one that offers three days of early access if pre-ordered. LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight The pre-order bonus doesn't end there at least, though, as players also get:

• Legacy Collection – Arkham Trilogy Pack, Batman Beyond Pack, and Party Music Pack

• Mayhem Collection (DLC starting September 2026) with Joker and Harley Quinn, new story missions, new modes, and Sinister Pack

• The Dark Knight returns the Batsuit

Warner Bros. Image via Games

Sure, there are other rewards, which are the silver lining. There is an argument that pays extra LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark KnightThe deluxe version is worth the extra content, but it's hard to justify the game being worth the more expensive version to start 72 hours earlier. While extra rewards that are actually useful to players can sometimes make pre-ordering worthwhile, playing the game a bit early doesn't make much sense, especially when the game in question doesn't have a super deep story that could potentially be spoiled by other early-access adopters. Indeed, this approach can really take the fun out of the release. Midnight movie premieres or game releases used to be so exciting, with everyone around waiting to experience the same event, but that sense of community has faded.

Dividing the player base into those who enjoy the game early and others who have to wait three days to enjoy it destroys a sense of collegiality and stifles discussion. LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark KnightThe world of seems incredibly attractive, but its marketing is another reminder that the industry continues to try and monetize many aspects of the gaming experience.

Pre-orders are used to bring gamers together

The concept of pre-order is not the issue. Before the industry started prioritizing digital releases, pre-orders actually meant something. For a long time, going to a local video game store or Game Stop to pre-order a game was the only way to secure a physical copy before launch day. Before the release day, stores will hold midnight launch parties, where both pre-orderers and those hoping to get a copy before they sell out will gather and party together. Hello 3The release of was one of the most notable examples of this trend. The third game in Xbox's flagship franchise marked a turning point for the industry; Not only did it show that video games were becoming more popular, it also proved that gaming was a thriving part of pop culture that paralleled movies, television, and music.

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight certainly won't be the last game to offer early access for pre-orders.

Unfortunately, this trend is probably here to stay. It has been a regular part of gaming for over a decade. If it keeps making publishers more money, it will be used. However, don't get me wrong. I totally want the developers to succeed and have amazing sales numbers, but two different release dates feels silly at this point. LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight It seems like the closest thing Batman fans will get to the new one Arkham game for a while, so it's at least a little understandable why some would be willing to spend the extra money to jump in early.

However, it will be more exciting if everyone gets to enjoy the game together on the same day. The community aspect isn't the only thing that hurts pre-order early access. It's also an easy way for fans to spoil the game. With the way social media works, major surprises can pop up within hours of release. While the actual story of the game is expected to be more fun than deep, there can be tons of cameos, unlockables, and easter eggs that players will love to see pop up opposite them while scrolling through social media. LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight It's one of the biggest games of 2026, and a single release day would be a fun way to bring longtime fans together. That's not going to happen, though, and that's a real shame.

issued

May 29, 2026

Franchise

Lego Batman

PC release date

May 29, 2026