Reports emerging from Xbox's recent restructuring indicate that Bethesda Game Studios may be shifting its focus away from Starfield, potentially leaving the ambitious sci-fi RPG without a sequel. According to a Bloomberg report, Microsoft's strategic reset for Xbox is leading Bethesda to prioritize its most established franchises: The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Wolfenstein, Doom, and Quake.

These five series are expected to be the core focus moving forward, with multiple titles reportedly already in development. While speculation suggests another studio might develop a Fallout game, Bethesda itself is understood to be heavily involved with The Elder Scrolls VI.

The absence of Starfield from this priority list has led to concern among its fanbase. Despite being a passion project for Bethesda’s Todd Howard and enjoying an extended development period, the game did not fully meet player expectations upon its 2023 launch. Subsequent updates and planned expansions have not significantly altered this sentiment for many.

Hardcore Starfield enthusiasts who had hoped for further expansions or even a sequel to establish it as Bethesda's third major franchise now see those aspirations fading. This has prompted some fans to voice their dismay online, with some players expressing a willingness to leave the Xbox ecosystem if Starfield is discontinued.

"If you end Starfield, I am leaving," one Xbox player stated. "I became part of the Xbox family for this game, a game that was finally something unique instead of the same franchises regurgitated, and I won’t stay on a platform where it’s no longer possible. My wallet will stay closed."

Another fan lamented, "If this means no more new Starfield development, I absolutely hate this," while a third pleaded directly to Microsoft and Bethesda, "Please don't give up on Starfield."

However, a segment of the player base appears more understanding of the potential decision, acknowledging the game's challenging development cycle and its failure to resonate broadly. "The amount of time it took to develop and then the end product just not hitting the mark, it’s understandable. I think we do need to get out of the 10+ year wait for the next Fallout or Elder Scrolls," one commenter observed.

Others pointed to the game's reception and resource demands as reasons for a potential discontinuation. "Starfield left a bad taste in people’s mouths, and given the time/budget they would require for a sequel, I understand why Microsoft is more eager to invest in other IP," another player noted. A more critical assessment stated, "Based on its own merits, that should be a one and done. For every good design choice there is a bad one."

Starfield was also released on PlayStation 5 earlier this year, but analysts reportedly believe sales on Sony's console were poor, a situation potentially exacerbated by its delayed launch compared to the initial 2023 release on other platforms. While the possibility of Starfield's return in distant future cannot be entirely ruled out, current indicators suggest it is unlikely to be a near-term focus for Bethesda.