Summary

  • Bethesda hopes that Starfield can see the same longevity as Skyrim.
  • While Starfield saw largely positive reviews from critics, the game has been criticized for its empty universe and lack of innovation.
  • The addition of new features like the recent REV-8 vehicle and the upcoming Shattered Space expansion may improve Starfield's appeal over time.

A developer from Bethesda recently revealed that the team hopes that Starfield will last as long as Skyrim and receive support for many years. When Starfield was released last year, Xbox CEO Phil Spencer expressed enthusiasm about Bethesda’s new RPG lasting as long as Skyrim, with the open-world RPG still wildly popular over a decade after its initial launch.

Released in 2011, Skyrim is one of Bethesda’s most popular RPGs, still boasting an active modding community and receiving ports for numerous platforms over the past 13 years. Starfield’s initial impressions, however, did not wow the community as much as its predecessor. Despite Starfield receiving mostly positive reviews from critics, the release of Bethesda’s space exploration game was controversial, as it was quickly criticized for having a sprawling but empty universe that lacked the attention to detail that often makes Bethesda games so special.

Starfield Player discovers rings moving on a nearby planet
Starfield Player Stumbles Upon Stunning Planet Detail

A Starfield player stumbles into a rare sight in the game's galaxy while on the run from three of its factions simultaneously.

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In an interview with The Gamer at Gamescom, Starfield’s creative producer Tim Lamb revealed that he “hopes” the space exploration game can last as long as Skyrim. “We do plan to support our games for a long time. So we always have ideas going around in various levels of completeness, but we're always working on something," Lamb explained. Citing examples of how Starfield could be supported over the years, Lamb pointed to both the new REV-8 vehicle and the upcoming Shattered Space expansion.

Bethesda Wants Starfield’s Success to Be as Long-Lived as Skyrim’s

We do plan to support our games for a long time. So we always have ideas going around in various levels of completeness, but we're always working on something.

Starfield’s new REV-8, for instance, was added to the game during last month’s update. The vehicle quickly became a fan favorite feature, as it allowed gamers to traverse huge open areas at high speed, greatly enhancing Starfield’s exploration.

The game’s first expansion, Shattered Space, will be released on September 30 and will feature tons of new content that may motivate players to return to Starfield a year after its launch. It was also recently leaked that Starfield could have a second expansion already planned, as Zenimax recently trademarked the name “Starborn.” While the filing was not directly linked to Starfield, this could likely be the name of the game’s next addition.

While Lamb did not cite it directly, another aspect that could improve Starfield’s longevity is its modding community. Skyrim still boasts a thriving modding scene, and while Starfield did not come with official mod support at first, recent updates remedied this, and the community currently has many options for excellent Starfield mods. In any case, only time will tell whether Starfield will remain as popular with its core fanbase a few years from now.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image
Starfield Tag Page Cover Art
10 /10

Starfield
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Action
RPG
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Systems
PC-1 Xbox-1
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Top Critic Avg: 85 /100 Critics Rec: 83%
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Released
September 6, 2023
ESRB
M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs, Strong Language, Violence
Developer(s)
Bethesda
Publisher(s)
Bethesda
Engine
proprietary engine
Cross-Platform Play
no multiplayer
Cross Save
no
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
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Starfield is the first new universe in 25 years from Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4. In this next generation role-playing game set amongst the stars, create any character you want and explore with unparalleled freedom as you embark on an epic journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery.
The year is 2330. Humanity has ventured beyond our solar system, settling new planets, and living as a spacefaring people. From humble beginnings as a space miner, you will join Constellation – the last group of space explorers seeking rare artifacts throughout the galaxy – and navigate the vast expanse of the Settled Systems in Bethesda Game Studios’ biggest and most ambitious game.

Steam Deck Compatibility
yes
Genre(s)
Action, RPG
How Long To Beat
20 Hours
File Size Xbox Series
101 GB (September 2023)