It looks like all the systems aren’t a go yet on Starfield’s upcoming update.
The swath of improvements and changes planned for Bethesda Game Studios’ spacefaring RPG were initially scheduled to be released in beta form on Steam on January 16, when the update was postponed due to the last-minute discovery of the undisclosed issue. Bethesda’s commitment to ensuring a smooth gaming experience has led to this cautious step back, with the revised launch date set for later the same week. The delay was announced on the official Discord server and X/Twitter, highlighting Bethesda’s responsiveness and communication with its gaming community.
The upcoming update is touted to be substantial, encompassing over 100 fixes and improvements. Among these are a handful of critical fixes to the “Eye of the Storm” mission involving the Crimson Fleet, enhancements to the widescreen support, and notable improvements to the game’s lighting, textures, and overall performance. This beta release strategy allows Bethesda to incrementally introduce updates, ensuring they are thoroughly tested before a wider release.
Unfortunately, this patch still doesn’t include the new travel methods teased in December 2023. Nevertheless, Bethesda has committed to a regular update schedule for Starfield, approximately every six weeks. This schedule has addressed a couple of issues issues like the pet asteroid problem, where small space debris followed players across the galaxy, in the past. These frequent updates are part of Bethesda’s strategy to refine Starfield’s gameplay experience in preparation for the upcoming Shattered Space DLC, expected to release in the first half of 2024.
The specific content of the update is expansive, aiming to bolster the game’s stability and bring a raft of graphical improvements, including enhanced textures, lighting, shadows, and extended support for widescreen displays. Further fixes include adjustments to sun disk geometry, planet ring shadows, and a resolution to the issue of bulldozed objects reappearing in Outposts. Another humorous yet significant fix targets asteroids that were following ships, reminiscent of marine creatures trailing larger hosts.
Upcoming enhancements include city maps, mod support, and more intricate ship customization options. This frequent update cycle is crucial for maintaining player engagement and addressing community feedback.
The situation with Starfield’s update is reminiscent of challenges faced by several other big-budget titles in the gaming industry. These delays are often met with mixed reactions and they’re also a sign of commitment to quality and player experience. Perhaps the only difference is that, for one reason or another, people seem to have higher regard for Starfield than other AAA productions.
Despite all the criticism, Starfield continues to post incredible numbers for Xbox. It was one of the most popular games of 2023, eclipsing the numbers posted by the likes of Baldur’s Gate 3, among others.
Regardless of why, those who remain hopeful for Starfield’s potential to become great are looking forward to the mod support and new travel methods. Finally, with over 100 fixes and improvements on the horizon, along with a commitment to regular updates, Starfield’s future looks promising.
