Bethesda Game Studios has announced its ongoing commitment to Starfield, its ambitious spacefaring science-fiction RPG. Despite recent layoffs within the company and a stated refocus on core franchises such as The Elder Scrolls and Fallout, the studio has confirmed that Starfield will continue to receive support and new content. The game has reportedly been played by over 17 million individuals, accumulating nearly a billion hours of playtime.
In a recent blog post detailing the future of its various RPG series, Bethesda dedicated a section to Starfield, titled "Starfield Continues." The post explicitly states that Starfield "remains an important part of our future." As part of the game's third year of post-launch support, players can expect "new stories," gameplay enhancements, and additional updates. Bethesda also indicated that more "Starborn content" is slated for release next year, alongside further development for the Starfield Creations modding system, which the studio noted has been utilized by more than 40 percent of its player base.
This confirmation of continued support for Starfield arrives in the wake of significant layoffs at the studio, which were part of a broader restructuring by Xbox concerning its gaming subsidiaries. Reports suggested that Bethesda lost essential staff, leading to a decline in morale, and potentially impacting the development of The Elder Scrolls 6. In response, the Bethesda developer union voiced plans for protests, asserting that such actions would cause Microsoft to reconsider future layoffs.
Starfield initially launched to a varied reception. While the game's optimistic take on space exploration did not fully meet the expectations of some players and critics, it has seen notable improvements through consistent updates since its release. The game maintains a dedicated audience, and its prominent placement in Bethesda's future outlook suggests its continued importance to the studio, even as it navigates recent corporate changes. The explicit mention of Starfield alongside long-standing franchises like Fallout and The Elder Scrolls signals its intended place within Bethesda's long-term strategic plans.