Starfield's Release: Long Wait Expected for "Hell of a Game"

While Starfield's 2023 debut was recent, discussions about a sequel are already underway. Although Bethesda remains tight-lipped, a former developer offered insights. This article explores their comments and potential expectations for a Starfield sequel.

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

A Solid Foundation for a Stellar Sequel

Bruce Nesmith, a former lead designer at Bethesda with a significant role in titles like Skyrim and Oblivion, boldly predicted that Starfield 2, if developed, will be "one hell of a game." Having departed Bethesda in September 2021, Nesmith believes the sequel will not merely build upon its predecessor but potentially surpass it, leveraging lessons learned and existing foundational work.

In a recent interview with VideoGamer, Nesmith highlighted the advantages of sequel development, drawing parallels to the evolution of Skyrim from Oblivion, and Oblivion from Morrowind. He suggests Starfield's initial release, while impressive, involved substantial "ground-up" development of new systems and technology. This groundwork, he argues, could streamline the sequel's creation.

"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," Nesmith stated. "‘We’re quite there. We’re missing a little bit.’ 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."

He further compared the potential of Starfield 2 to franchises like Mass Effect and Assassin's Creed, which saw their iconic status solidified through sequels that refined and expanded upon initially strong, yet imperfect, first installments. "It takes, sadly, sometimes a second or third version of the game in order to really enrich everything," Nesmith added.

A Lengthy Wait for Starfield 2: Years, Perhaps a Decade

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

Howard emphasized Bethesda's deliberate approach to game development and franchise management, prioritizing quality and upholding established standards. "We just want to get it right and make sure that everything we’re doing in a franchise, whether it’s Elder Scrolls or Fallout or now Starfield, that those become meaningful moments for everybody who loves these franchises as much as we do," Howard explained.

Bethesda's history of extended development cycles is well-documented. The Elder Scrolls VI, entering pre-production in 2018, remains in its "early development stages," according to Bethesda's head of publishing, Pete Hines. Howard subsequently confirmed to IGN that Fallout 5 will follow The Elder Scrolls VI in development. This timeline suggests that these titles will likely precede any work on a new Starfield game.

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. If Fallout 5 follows a similar development trajectory, a new Starfield game might not arrive until the mid-2030s.

While Starfield 2 remains speculative, fans can find reassurance in Howard's commitment to the franchise. The recent release of Starfield's DLC, Shattered Space, on September 30th, addresses some of the original game's shortcomings. Further DLC is planned for the coming years, leaving fans with anticipation for the potential arrival of Starfield 2.