'Skyrim: Special Edition' release date, news and updates: Remastered release now available on qualified Steam libraries

Although the official release date for "Skyrim: Special Edition" is still a day away, original game owners who have availed of the role-playing game's add-ons may already be able to download the remastered version for free via their Steam libraries.

A Valve representative has confirmed in a post on the Steam forums that the process of adding the game to qualified libraries has already begun. They will proceed with adding the game in batches to game owners who manage to complete the three add-ons, "Dawnguard," "Hearthfire," and "Dragonborn" until the official launch date. Gamers who own the "Skyrim Legendary Edition" on Steam can also get the "Skyrim: Special Edition" for free.

In lieu of the upcoming remastered edition, game publisher Bethesda Softworks has released a gameplay trailer that provides a sneak peek into how the stunning graphic improvements will look and differ on four varying consoles: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. It goes on to show more familiar locations, creatures, and gameplay challenges that combine all of the downloadable content (DLCs) from the previous "Skyrim" version.

"Skyrim: Special Edition" may not offer much changes beyond the visual upgrades. The game, as it is, already has a wide variety of stories that new and long-time players may continue to explore in a more dynamic setting framed by expansive landscapes and foliage that offer more realistic details, colors, and depth of field.

Additionally, the upcoming "Skyrim: Special Edition" will feature 76 collectible trophies with 51 coming from the base game, 10 from the "Dawnguard" DLC, five from the "Hearthfire" DLC, and 10 from the "Dragonborn" expansion.

Playstation Lifestyle has posted a gallery of the trophy list with full details. Players of the popular open-world game should keep in mind that enabling the mods will disable the trophies and that the trophy list for the upcoming edition is the same as the one on the PlayStation 3, which may disappoint trophy hunters who have been expecting a new set of challenges.

"Skyrim: Special Edition" will be released globally on Friday, Oct. 28, at 12 a.m. UTC.