Bethesda’s plans for Starfield indicate a substantial commitment to post-launch support through extensive expansions well into the future, reminiscent of their ongoing support for other titles like Fallout 76 and Fallout 4. In an hour-long interview with MrMattyPlays, Todd Howard disclosed several key details about the game’s roadmap, providing more information than has been available since its launch.
The upcoming expansion titled “Shattered Space” is set in a meticulously handcrafted location, departing from procedural generation to focus on a singular, expansive environment akin to established cities and space stations within the game.
This signals a deliberate effort to enhance the game world on a grand scale. Beyond Shattered Space, Starfield is confirmed to receive additional content in its second year, featuring smaller-scale updates and quality-of-life improvements, setting the stage for subsequent expansions.
Howard emphasized Bethesda’s intention to continue expanding Starfield with narrative-driven updates even as they develop other major projects like Elder Scrolls VI and potentially Fallout 5 in the future. This strategic focus on ongoing content updates aims to reduce the lengthy gaps between major releases, contrasting with previous approaches that included remastering older Fallout and Elder Scrolls titles.
Regarding player engagement, Howard revealed that Starfield has attracted a significant player base, reaching 14 million players. This growth trajectory underscores its popularity, especially with its availability on platforms like Xbox Game Pass and Steam.
Notably, the upcoming expansions for Starfield will not be included in Game Pass, suggesting a monetization strategy outside of subscription services, potentially through additional paid content or expansions.
However, details regarding Starfield’s availability on PlayStation remain uncertain amidst Microsoft’s broader ecosystem strategy. While Bethesda’s long-term support for its games isn’t unprecedented, Starfield’s approach appears more ambitious, with expansions like Shattered Space drawing comparisons to substantial updates seen in Fallout 4, particularly the Far Harbor expansion.
Bethesda’s plans for Starfield indicate a robust commitment to expansive post-launch support, with ongoing narrative expansions planned well into the future. This approach not only aims to enrich the player experience but also strategically positions Starfield within Bethesda’s portfolio as they navigate evolving market dynamics and player expectations.