"Starfield 2: Years Away, Promised to be Epic"

Starfield only arrived in 2023, but the gaming community is already buzzing with anticipation for a sequel. While Bethesda has kept quiet on the matter, insights from a former developer have sparked exciting discussions about what we might expect from Starfield's next installment.

Starfield 2 Will be “One Hell of a Game,” According to Ex-Bethesda Dev

Bruce Nesmith, a former lead designer at Bethesda known for his contributions to iconic titles like Skyrim and Oblivion, recently shared his optimistic vision for Starfield 2. In an interview with VideoGamer, Nesmith, who parted ways with Bethesda in September 2021, confidently stated that the sequel could be "one hell of a game." He emphasized how the groundwork laid by the original Starfield would pave the way for a sequel that not only builds on its predecessor but also addresses and improves upon its shortcomings.

Nesmith highlighted the benefits of sequel development, drawing parallels to how Skyrim evolved from Oblivion and Oblivion from Morrowind. He pointed out that while Starfield was a significant achievement, it required building everything from scratch, which is not the case for a sequel. "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, '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 explained.

He further compared Starfield's potential trajectory to that of successful franchises like Mass Effect and Assassin’s Creed, which refined and expanded upon their initial concepts in later installments. "It takes, sadly, sometimes a second or third version of the game in order to really enrich everything," Nesmith remarked.

Starfield 2 Release Date Could be Years Away, a Decade Even

Starfield received mixed reviews upon its release, with critics noting issues with pacing and content density. However, Bethesda has demonstrated a commitment to nurturing Starfield into a flagship franchise alongside The Elder Scrolls and Fallout. In a conversation with YouTuber MrMattyPlays in June, Bethesda's Director Todd Howard revealed plans for annual story expansions for Starfield, signaling a long-term investment in the series.

Howard emphasized the importance of taking time to ensure the quality of new games and the ongoing development of existing franchises. "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 stated.

Bethesda is known for its lengthy development cycles. The Elder Scrolls VI, which entered pre-production in 2018, remains in its early stages, according to Bethesda’s head of publishing, Pete Hines. Howard confirmed to IGN that Fallout 5 is next on the agenda after The Elder Scrolls VI. Given this timeline, fans might need to wait until the mid-2030s for Starfield 2, especially considering Xbox's Phil Spencer mentioned in 2023 that The Elder Scrolls VI was "at least five years out," suggesting a potential 2026 release at the earliest.

While Starfield 2 remains a speculative prospect, fans can find reassurance in Howard's commitment to the franchise. The release of the Starfield DLC, Shattered Space, on September 30, addressed some of the original game's issues, and more DLCs are planned for the coming years, keeping the community engaged as they await the possible arrival of Starfield 2.