Todd Howard Tempers Hopes For Starfield's Next Major Update

The long-awaited Starfield 2.0 update, a topic of fan speculation for roughly a year, is not what many believed it to be. Bethesda Game Studios director Todd Howard has stated that the forthcoming update, while significant, is not a complete overhaul of the game. This clarification comes after a period of quiet following the release of the Shattered Space expansion, a time when the studio had assured players of "a lot of exciting things planned." The community has been discussing a potential 2.0 version ever since. I see this as an important step in managing the expectations of a dedicated player base that has been waiting for substantial news. Howard's comments aim to set the record straight on what the development team has been working on, promising to reveal more details about the new content in the near future.

Although Bethesda hasn’t spoken much yet, once again, gaming insider shinobi602 is giving some information. According to him, the update will be revealed next March, and he also addresses rumors of Starfield's release on PlayStation 5 in April. It’s clear that the teaser PS5 version of Starfield will have the long-awaited update. This information, while not officially confirmed by Bethesda, adds another layer to the ongoing discussions within the community about the game’s future and its potential expansion to new platforms. The timing suggested by the insider aligns with Howard's own comments about news coming "soonish," pointing towards a significant reveal in the coming weeks.

Speaking on the Kinda Funny podcast, Howard elaborated on the nature of the update. He explained that the changes are designed for players who are already invested in the game. The update will introduce new elements that alter the experience in a "meta" way, particularly in how outer space is utilized, rather than through isolated additions. He was clear that the update is unlikely to win over those who did not enjoy the initial release.

"If Starfield is something that didn't connect with you right away, or you bounced off it or found it boring in places, I don't think this is going to change that fundamentally."

— Todd Howard

The team has been focused on creating content they feel enhances the core experience for its existing audience. Howard noted they are moving into a phase where they are ready to present what is coming to the game in a comprehensive manner, signaling that a formal announcement is imminent.

When asked about the timeline, Howard described the release as "soonish" but did not provide a specific date, wishing to avoid spoiling the official announcement. He also confirmed that this is not a final update for Starfield. The studio has more content planned and views the game as an ongoing project that will continue to evolve for some time. This long-term commitment suggests that players can expect further development beyond this next major patch.

"No, we're doing more Starfield stuff coming up - we've been laying that out. It's something we see continuing for a while."

— Todd Howard

Despite a mixed critical reception upon its 2023 release, Starfield has maintained a significant player base. Howard referred to the title as a "Game Pass hours beast," highlighting its strong performance on the subscription service and the large audience it commands. I do think this demonstrates the game's sustained appeal within a specific segment of the gaming community, which has remained engaged even as the studio's public communications have slowed. The game's audience has been a key factor in the decision to continue producing new content.

This period of anticipation has been building for a while. Back in March 2025, nearly a year ago, Bethesda had already acknowledged the community's desire for news. At the time, the company responded to fan inquiries by stating the team was "hard at work" and had "a lot of exciting things planned for the game this year."

This earlier communication was a response to the growing silence in the months following the Shattered Space expansion and was intended to reassure players that development was actively continuing behind the scenes, even as speculation about a PlayStation 5 port began to circulate.

Bethesda Game Studios' attention is not solely on Starfield. A significant portion of the 500-person studio is focused on the development of The Elder Scrolls 6. Howard described this upcoming title as a return to the "classic" style of games like Skyrim and Oblivion, differentiating it from what he called the "creative detour" of Fallout 76 and Starfield. The studio's resources are also influenced by other projects, such as the successful Fallout television series, which recently launched its second season and has drawn positive attention back to the franchise. This broader context helps explain the allocation of development resources and the measured pace of updates for Starfield.