Bethesda Hopes Starfield Will Last as Long as Skyrim

Bethesda Hopes Starfield Will Last as Long as Skyrim

Key Takeaways

  • Bethesda hopes that Starfield can see the same longevity as Skyrim.
  • While Starfield saw largely positive reviews from critics, the game has been criticized for its empty universe and lack of innovation.
  • The addition of new features like the recent REV-8 vehicle and the upcoming Shattered Space expansion may improve Starfield’s appeal over time.

As a seasoned gamer who has spent countless hours exploring the vast landscapes of Tamriel and beyond, I can’t help but feel a mix of anticipation and skepticism upon hearing Bethesda’s hopes for Starfield to last as long as Skyrim. Don’t get me wrong; I loved Skyrim, and it’s still one of my favorite games of all time. But the universe of Starfield, while visually stunning, felt a bit hollow at launch, lacking the depth and immersion that made Skyrim so captivating.


A developer at Bethesda has shared that they aspire for ‘Starfield’ to have the same longevity and continuous support as ‘Skyrim’, which remains widely played over a decade since its debut, even sparking excitement from Xbox CEO Phil Spencer when it was released last year.

2011 saw the launch of Skyrim, one of Bethesda’s most enduring role-playing games, which continues to have an engaged modding community and adaptations for various platforms since its release a decade ago. Conversely, the debut of Starfield didn’t spark as much excitement among gamers as its predecessor. While Starfield generally received positive reviews from critics, the rollout of Bethesda’s space exploration game was met with controversy due to accusations that it featured a vast yet underdeveloped universe lacking in the intricate detail that sets apart many Bethesda productions.

During an interview with The Gamer at Gamescom, Tim Lamb, the creative producer for Starfield, expressed his aspiration that the space exploration game could have a longevity similar to Skyrim. He elaborated that Bethesda Game Studios plans to sustain their games for extended periods, continually developing new ideas, although they’re always busy working on something specific. As instances of how Starfield might be sustained over time, Lamb referenced the recently introduced REV-8 vehicle and the upcoming Shattered Space expansion.

Bethesda Wants Starfield’s Success to Be as Long-Lived as Skyrim’s

We do plan to support our games for a long time. So we always have ideas going around in various levels of completeness, but we’re always working on something.

In the recent update, Starfield introduced its latest addition, the REV-8. This vehicle has rapidly become a beloved aspect of the game among fans. It offers players an exhilarating way to navigate expansive open landscapes at high speeds, significantly boosting the enjoyment of exploring in Starfield.

The initial expansion for the game, titled “Shattered Space”, is scheduled for release on September 30th, offering a wealth of fresh content that might entice players to revisit “Starfield” a year after its debut. Moreover, whispers suggest that “Starfield” may also receive a second expansion, as Zenimax has recently secured the trademark for the name “Starborn”. Although the filing is not definitively linked to “Starfield”, it’s possible this could be the title of the game’s forthcoming update.

An additional factor that may prolong the popularity of Starfield is its active modding community, much like Skyrim continues to have a vibrant mod scene. Although Starfield didn’t initially offer official mod support, recent updates have addressed this, leading to numerous high-quality mod options for the game. However, we’ll only know in the future whether Starfield will maintain its appeal among its core fanbase over several years.

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2024-09-02 22:35