Starfield, released in 2023, has already sparked considerable speculation about a sequel. While Bethesda remains officially silent, a former developer has offered intriguing insights. Let's delve into their comments and explore what a potential Starfield 2 might entail.
Starfield 2: "One Hell of a Game," According to a Former Bethesda Dev
A Strong Foundation for a Stellar Sequel
Former Bethesda lead designer, Bruce Nesmith—a key figure in the development of Skyrim and Oblivion—recently predicted that Starfield 2, should it materialize, will be exceptional. Having departed Bethesda in September 2021, Nesmith believes the groundwork laid by the first Starfield provides a solid springboard for a significantly improved sequel. He highlighted that while the original game 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."
Drawing parallels to franchises like Mass Effect and Assassin's Creed, Nesmith emphasized the iterative nature of successful game series. He noted that sequels often refine and expand upon the initial game's foundation, leading to more polished and richer experiences. "It takes, sadly, sometimes a second or third version of the game in order to really enrich everything," he added.
A Long Road to Starfield 2: Years, Perhaps Even a Decade Away
Starfield's reception was mixed, with critiques focusing on pacing and content. However, Bethesda's commitment to Starfield as a core franchise alongside The Elder Scrolls and Fallout remains strong. Bethesda's Director Todd Howard confirmed plans for annual story expansions for "hopefully a very long time."Howard emphasized Bethesda's dedication to thoughtful 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," he explained.
Bethesda's lengthy development cycles are well-documented. The Elder Scrolls VI, in pre-production since 2018, is still in its early stages. Fallout 5 is slated to follow The Elder Scrolls VI. Considering Phil Spencer's 2023 statement that The Elder Scrolls VI was "at least five years out," a 2026 release at the earliest seems plausible. If Fallout 5 follows a similar timeline, a new Starfield game might not arrive until the mid-2030s.
While Starfield 2 remains speculative, Howard's commitment to the franchise is reassuring. The recent release of Shattered Space, addressing some initial concerns, and the planned future DLC demonstrate a continued investment in the Starfield universe. For now, fans can look forward to continued expansions while patiently awaiting the potential arrival of Starfield 2.
