Starfield: Release Years Out, Promises "Unprecedented Adventure"

Starfield's 2023 debut has already sparked anticipation for a sequel. While Bethesda remains tight-lipped, a former developer offers intriguing insights. Discover their predictions and what a potential Starfield 2 might entail.

Starfield 2: An Ex-Bethesda Dev's Bold Prediction

A Strong Foundation for a Stellar Sequel

Bruce Nesmith, a former lead designer at Bethesda with a history spanning Skyrim and Oblivion, boldly predicts that Starfield 2, if developed, will be "one hell of a game." Having departed Bethesda in September 2021, Nesmith believes the groundwork laid by the original Starfield provides a solid springboard for a superior sequel. He highlights the iterative nature of Bethesda's RPG franchises, citing the improvements seen from Morrowind to Oblivion to Skyrim. He notes that while Starfield was impressive, much of its development involved building new systems and technology from scratch. This initial groundwork, he argues, will streamline the sequel's development.

"I’m looking forward to Starfield 2," Nesmith stated in a recent interview with VideoGamer. "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."

He draws parallels to franchises like Mass Effect and Assassin's Creed, which evolved significantly from their initial installments. Nesmith believes Starfield 2 will similarly refine and expand upon its predecessor's concepts. "It takes, sadly, sometimes a second or third version of the game in order to really enrich everything," he added.

A Long Wait for Starfield 2: A Decade or More?

Starfield's reception was mixed, with criticism focusing on pacing and content. However, Bethesda's commitment to Starfield as a major franchise alongside Elder Scrolls and Fallout is evident. Director Todd Howard confirmed plans for annual story expansions for "hopefully a very long time" in a June interview with YouTuber MrMattyPlays.

Howard emphasized Bethesda's dedication to meticulous development and franchise management. "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," he explained.

Bethesda's lengthy development cycles are well-known. The Elder Scrolls VI, in pre-production since 2018, remains in early development, according to Bethesda's head of publishing, Pete Hines. Howard further confirmed that Fallout 5 will follow Elder Scrolls VI. Considering Phil Spencer's 2023 statement that Elder Scrolls VI is "at least five years out," a 2026 release at the earliest seems plausible. If Fallout 5 follows a similar timeline, a Starfield sequel might not arrive until the mid-2030s.

While Starfield 2 remains uncertain, Howard's commitment to the franchise is reassuring. The recent release of Shattered Space DLC addresses some initial concerns, and further DLC is planned. For now, fans can look forward to continued support for Starfield while patiently awaiting the potential arrival of its highly anticipated sequel.