Summary

  • Starfield has surpassed expectations, with over 12 million users playing the game since its launch in September.
  • Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer knew the game would be a hit even before its release.
  • Bethesda plans to release modding tools for Starfield in 2024, allowing players to create their own content and potentially making the game as enduring as Skyrim.

Starfield passed another milestone recently, as Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer revealed the impressive number of users who have played the game since its launch. Spencer also explained where he sees Starfield years down the road.

Released in September of this year, Starfield was one of the most anticipated games of 2023. Its developer, Bethesda Game Studios, had not delivered a successful flagship release since Fallout 4 in 2015. Its more recent release, Fallout 76 in 2018, was mired in controversy, and its hugely successful The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim was released well over a decade ago. Despite this, the studio's loyal fans trusted Bethesda to deliver a fun, high-quality game, and their trust paid off. Starfield's resulting popularity has gone on to produce some impressive numbers.

Starfield large carrier ship docked in New Atlantis Spaceport
Creative Starfield Player Builds a Bar Inside Their Ship

A crafty Starfield player builds a breathtaking ship that comes equipped with a super cozy bar, among other impressive amenities.

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During an interview at CCXP 23, Spencer revealed that over 12 million users have played Starfield. He explained that he isn't particularly shocked at these numbers, as he knew it was going to be a hit well before its release. Thanks to his position at Microsoft, he has access to playable versions of games while they're still in early stages of development, and Spencer said that he simply couldn't stop playing the unfinished game once he tried it. Spencer was then asked whether he thinks Starfield can be as enduring as 2011's Skyrim, which has a loyal fan base to this day. Spencer answered, "That's our goal." [...] "We've already told the community that they'll get all the mod tools so they can go and create their own content in Starfield, which has been so important to Skyrim, so a ton of confidence that for many, many years Starfield will be sitting very high."

[There's a] ton of confidence that for many, many years Starfield will be sitting very high.

Bethesda previously announced that Starfield's official modding tools will be released in 2024, which will create massive potential for fans to come up with new, creative additions to the game. Mods play an integral part to Skyrim's continued success, and Bethesda is hoping for the same with Starfield.

Despite the game's lack of official modding tools for now, players can already enjoy community-created mods in Starfield, albeit with some extra steps. Whether the user wants to overhaul the combat, improve the UI, or make the game more immersive, there's probably a mod for it already.

Before the game reached its remarkable 12-million-player milestone, Starfield's launch had already broken records for Bethesda. Despite it only releasing on PC and Xbox, Starfield reached a whopping 6 million players after its first day. With PlayStation's huge player base cut out from these numbers, this is a spectacular accomplishment.

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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.

Genre(s)
Action, RPG