After months of silence, Bethesda has finally released a new update for its space RPG Starfield, addressing numerous technical issues that have plagued the game since its launch. The update comes six months after the last patch, arriving as players were beginning to question the developer's commitment to improving the troubled title.
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| Starfield character showcasing the game's universe amidst recent updates |
Update Focuses on Technical Improvements
The latest Starfield update, currently available in Steam beta, introduces a new Very Low display setting aimed at improving performance on less powerful devices. This addition may help players struggling with the game's demanding system requirements, though some fans have noted that playing at such reduced visual fidelity isn't particularly appealing. The update also addresses dozens of bugs and technical issues that have affected gameplay since launch, including control locks, crashes, and various quest-related problems.
Creation Kit Enhancements
Modders will find several improvements to the Creation Kit in this update. Bethesda has increased the allowable upload size for Creations to 2GB, potentially enabling more complex mods in the future. The update also adds support for bundling Creations in the store and allows creators to add new icons to the game. These changes suggest Bethesda is continuing to support the modding community despite the game's mixed reception.
Mixed Reception from Players
The community's reaction to this update has been divided. While some players are relieved to see evidence that Bethesda hasn't abandoned Starfield, others have expressed disappointment at the lack of new content after such a long wait. On Steam, Starfield currently holds a Mixed rating with only 58% positive reviews, while its first major DLC Shattered Space fares even worse with a Mostly Negative 30% positive rating.
New Content on the Horizon
Despite the focus on technical fixes in this update, Bethesda has teased some upcoming new content. A new mod called Watchtower from Kinggath Creations (described as Fallout 4's best modder) is set to release on May 20th. This paid mod will introduce a new faction that has identified the player as a target, offering a fresh storyline for players seeking new adventures in Starfield's universe.
Ongoing Commitment
This update appears to be part of Bethesda's stated commitment to continue work on Starfield despite its rocky reception. In previous communications, the studio had promised it was hard at work on exciting things for the game, though today's patch focuses primarily on technical improvements rather than new gameplay features. For players who have been waiting for Starfield to reach its full potential, these fixes represent a step in the right direction, even if they don't address all of the community's concerns.