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

While Starfield's 2023 launch is still fresh, whispers of a sequel are already circulating. Bethesda remains tight-lipped, but a former developer has offered intriguing insights. Let's delve into their comments and explore the potential of Starfield 2.

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, recently predicted that Starfield 2, should it materialize, will be "one hell of a game." Having departed Bethesda in September 2021, Nesmith believes the groundwork laid by the original Starfield positions the sequel for substantial improvement, building upon lessons learned and existing infrastructure.

In an interview with VideoGamer, Nesmith highlighted the iterative nature of sequels, citing the evolution from Morrowind to Oblivion to Skyrim. He suggests that Starfield's initial development, which involved creating many systems from scratch, will 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 drew parallels to franchises like Mass Effect and Assassin's Creed, emphasizing that sequels often refine and expand upon the initial game's strengths. "It takes, sadly, sometimes a second or third version of the game in order to really enrich everything," Nesmith explained.

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

Starfield's initial reception was mixed, with critics offering varying opinions on 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 Starfield for "hopefully a very long time" in a June interview with YouTuber MrMattyPlays.

Howard emphasized Bethesda's dedication to meticulous game development and franchise management to maintain high 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 lengthy development cycles is well-documented. The Elder Scrolls VI, in pre-production since 2018, remains in its "early development stages," according to Bethesda's head of publishing, Pete Hines. Howard further confirmed that Fallout 5 will follow The Elder Scrolls VI. Considering Phil Spencer's 2023 statement that The Elder Scrolls VI is "at least five years out," a 2026 release at the earliest seems plausible. A similar development timeline for Fallout 5 would likely push a new Starfield title into the mid-2030s.

While Starfield 2 remains speculative, Howard's commitment to the franchise is reassuring. The recent release of Shattered Space, Starfield's DLC, on September 30th, addresses some initial concerns, and further DLC is planned. Fans can anticipate continued support for Starfield while patiently awaiting the potential arrival of its sequel.