Bethesda's Starfield 2: A Promising Future

While Starfield's 2023 release is still fresh, whispers of a sequel are already circulating. Although Bethesda remains tight-lipped, a former developer has offered intriguing insights. Let's delve into their comments and explore the potential of Starfield 2.

Starfield 2: A Promising Sequel, According to a Former Bethesda Developer

A Strong Foundation for a Stellar Sequel

Bruce Nesmith, a former lead designer at Bethesda with a significant history contributing to titles like Skyrim and Oblivion, recently predicted that Starfield 2, should it materialize, will be "one hell of a game." Having departed Bethesda in September 2021, Nesmith believes the sequel won't merely build upon its predecessor but could potentially surpass it. He attributes this potential to valuable lessons learned during the first game's development and the robust foundation already established.

In a recent interview with VideoGamer, Nesmith highlighted the advantages inherent in developing a sequel, drawing parallels to the evolution of Skyrim from Oblivion, and Oblivion from Morrowind. He suggests that Starfield's groundwork could streamline the sequel's development. While acknowledging Starfield's impressive scope, he noted the considerable effort involved in 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, both of which saw their initial entries refined and expanded upon in later, more iconic sequels. "It takes, sadly, sometimes a second or third version of the game in order to really enrich everything," Nesmith observed.

A Lengthy Wait for Starfield 2: Years, Even a Decade?

Starfield's initial reception was mixed, with critics expressing varying opinions on its pacing and content. However, Bethesda's commitment to establishing Starfield as a major franchise alongside The Elder Scrolls and Fallout remains evident. Bethesda's Director, Todd Howard, confirmed to YouTuber MrMattyPlays in June their intention to release annual story expansions for Starfield for "hopefully a very long time."

Howard emphasized Bethesda's dedication to meticulous game development and franchise management to maintain the high standards set by previous titles. "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 extensive development cycles is well-documented. The Elder Scrolls VI, entering pre-production in 2018, is still 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 the development pipeline. Considering this timeline, and Phil Spencer's 2023 statement suggesting The Elder Scrolls VI is "at least five years out," a Starfield sequel likely won't arrive until the mid-2030s.

While Starfield 2 remains speculative, fans can find comfort in Howard's commitment to the franchise. The recent release of Shattered Space, a DLC addressing some of the original game's shortcomings, and the promise of more DLC in the years to come, offer a bridge to the potential arrival of Starfield 2.