Bethesda's Starfield Delayed, but Anticipated as Epic

Starfield 2: A Promising Sequel, But Years Away

Starfield, released in 2023, has already sparked anticipation for a sequel. While Bethesda remains tight-lipped, former lead designer Bruce Nesmith offers an optimistic outlook. He confidently predicts Starfield 2 will be "one hell of a game," leveraging lessons learned from the first installment and building upon its established foundation.

Nesmith, a veteran of Bethesda's development team (contributing to Skyrim and Oblivion), highlights the iterative nature of sequels. He points to the improvements seen in Skyrim over Oblivion, and Oblivion over Morrowind, suggesting Starfield 2 can significantly enhance its predecessor, addressing criticisms and incorporating new features. The initial game, while impressive, involved establishing new systems and technology, laying the groundwork for a smoother development process for its successor.

"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. He draws parallels to franchises like Mass Effect and Assassin's Creed, which saw their defining moments in later installments after refining initial concepts.

However, a release date remains distant. Bethesda's commitment to quality and measured development, as emphasized by Director Todd Howard, suggests a considerable wait. Howard confirmed plans for annual story expansions for Starfield, indicating a long-term commitment to the franchise. Considering the still-early development stages of The Elder Scrolls VI and the subsequent Fallout 5, a Starfield 2 release likely falls well into the future, potentially as late as the mid-2030s. This aligns with estimations based on Xbox's Phil Spencer's statement that The Elder Scrolls VI is at least five years away.

While Starfield 2 remains speculative, Bethesda's dedication to the franchise is evident. The recent release of the Shattered Space DLC demonstrates their commitment to improving the original game. Further DLC is planned, offering fans content while they patiently anticipate the potential arrival of Starfield 2.