Bethesda Game Studios director Todd Howard has clarified that an upcoming Starfield update will not represent a full game overhaul. Speaking on the Kinda Funny podcast, Howard described the changes as enhancements for existing fans, without fundamentally altering the experience for those who did not initially connect with the game. He indicated that more content is planned for the title in the long term.
Todd Howard, director at Bethesda Game Studios, addressed speculation about a major Starfield update during an appearance on the Kinda Funny podcast. The update, which has been in development for about a year following the release of the Shattered Space add-on, is not "Starfield 2.0," Howard stated. "It is not Starfield 2.0 - I've seen some of that," he said. "So for expectation-setting, it's the kind of thing where if you love Starfield, we think you're going to love this. It's updates and things that change the game, not in an isolated way, but [in a] sort of meta [way] - using outer space and things in ways that we haven't."
Howard emphasized that the changes aim to enhance gameplay at a broader level, building on existing systems rather than replacing them. He noted that players who found the game boring or unengaging initially may not see a fundamental shift. When asked about timing, Howard replied, "It's soonish. I don't want to spoil the day but it is coming soon." He also confirmed that this is not the final update, adding, "No, we're doing more Starfield stuff coming up - we've been laying that out. It's something we see continuing for a while."
Starfield launched in 2023 to mixed reviews but has maintained a substantial audience, particularly on Game Pass, which Howard called a "Game Pass hours beast." Bethesda's resources are spread across projects, with the majority of its workforce focused on The Elder Scrolls 6, described as a return to a more classic style akin to Skyrim or Oblivion. Recent efforts have also included support for the Fallout series, following the positive reception of its second TV season. Howard reassured that Starfield remains a priority with ongoing development planned.
