Starfield 2 Release Probably Years Away, But Promised to be “One Hell of a Game”

While Starfield's 2023 release is still fresh in gamers' minds, anticipation for a sequel is already building. Although Bethesda remains officially silent, a former developer has offered intriguing insights. This article delves into their comments and what they might suggest for the future of Starfield.

Starfield 2: A Promising Sequel, According to a Former Bethesda Designer

High Expectations for a Stellar Sequel

Bruce Nesmith, a former lead designer at Bethesda with a significant role in titles like Skyrim and Oblivion, recently predicted that Starfield 2, if developed, will be "one hell of a game." Having departed Bethesda in September 2021, Nesmith believes the foundation laid by the first Starfield, coupled with lessons learned, positions the sequel for substantial improvement. He points to the iterative evolution of the Elder Scrolls series (Morrowind to Oblivion to Skyrim) as a model, suggesting that Starfield 2 can build upon its predecessor's strengths while rectifying shortcomings.

In a recent interview with VideoGamer, Nesmith highlighted the advantages of sequel development, noting that Starfield's initial release involved creating many systems and technologies from scratch. He anticipates Starfield 2 will leverage this existing framework, incorporating new features and addressing player feedback. He stated, "I’m looking forward to Starfield 2. I think it’s going to be one hell of a game because it’s going to address a lot of the things people are saying… It will be able to take what’s in there right now and put in a lot of new stuff and fix a lot of those problems."

Nesmith further drew parallels to franchises like Mass Effect and Assassin's Creed, which saw their defining moments in later installments after initially strong, yet imperfect, debuts. He emphasized that a series' true potential often unfolds across multiple iterations.

A Long Wait Ahead?

Starfield's initial reception was mixed, with critics offering varied opinions on its pacing and content. However, Bethesda's commitment to Starfield as a core franchise alongside The Elder Scrolls and Fallout is evident. Todd Howard, Bethesda's director, confirmed plans for annual story expansions for "hopefully a very long time" in a June interview with YouTuber MrMattyPlays.

Howard underscored Bethesda's dedication to meticulous game development and franchise management, prioritizing quality over rapid releases. He explained, "We just want to get it right and make sure that everything we’re doing in a franchise… that those become meaningful moments for everybody who loves these franchises as much as we do."

Bethesda's history reveals a penchant for extended development cycles. The Elder Scrolls VI, in pre-production since 2018, remains in its "early development stages," according to Pete Hines, Bethesda's head of publishing. Howard confirmed Fallout 5 as the next project following The Elder Scrolls VI. Considering Phil Spencer's 2023 statement that The Elder Scrolls VI was "at least five years out," a 2026 release at the earliest seems plausible. A similar development timeline for Fallout 5 suggests that a new Starfield game might not arrive until the mid-2030s.

While Starfield 2 remains hypothetical, Howard's commitment to supporting Starfield is reassuring. The recent release of the Shattered Space DLC on September 30th addresses some initial concerns, and further DLC is planned. For now, fans can eagerly anticipate future content while patiently awaiting the potential arrival of Starfield 2.