Speculation Mounts for Starfield 2: A "Hell of a Game" Years in the Making
While Starfield's 2023 launch is still fresh, whispers of a sequel are already circulating. Although Bethesda remains tight-lipped, a former developer has offered intriguing insights. Read on for details on these comments and potential expectations for a Starfield sequel.
Starfield 2: An Ambitious Sequel in the Making
Bruce Nesmith, a former lead designer at Bethesda with a significant role in titles like Skyrim and Oblivion, recently predicted that Starfield 2, if developed, will be "one hell of a game." Nesmith, who departed Bethesda in September 2021, believes the foundation laid by the original Starfield, combined with lessons learned, positions the sequel for significant improvement. He highlighted the iterative nature of Bethesda's previous RPG franchises, suggesting Starfield 2 could build upon and surpass its predecessor.
In a recent interview with VideoGamer, Nesmith emphasized the advantages of developing a sequel, drawing parallels to the evolution of Skyrim from Oblivion, and Oblivion from Morrowind. He pointed out that while Starfield was impressive, much of its development involved building new systems and technologies from scratch.
"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."
Nesmith 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 the initial entries. "It takes, sadly, sometimes a second or third version of the game in order to really enrich everything," Nesmith added.
A Long Road Ahead: Starfield 2's Distant Horizon
Starfield's initial reception was mixed, with critics offering varied opinions on pacing and content. However, Bethesda's commitment to Starfield as a flagship 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 deliberate approach to game development and franchise management, prioritizing quality over speed. "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 subsequently confirmed to IGN that Fallout 5 will follow The Elder Scrolls VI in development. Considering this timeline, and Phil Spencer's 2023 statement that The Elder Scrolls VI is "at least five years out," a Starfield 2 release before the mid-2030s seems unlikely.
While Starfield 2 remains speculative, fans can anticipate continued support for the original game. The recent release of the Shattered Space DLC addresses some initial concerns, and further DLC is planned. The future of Starfield, with or without a direct sequel, appears bright.
