Starfieldhas been a tricky release for developer Bethesda. Branded as “Skyrimin space” by those eager for the game, the launch ofStarfieldback in 2023 has yet to produce the same hype as theElder Scrollschapter. Criticisms of an empty world and slow story disappointed a lot of once-excited players. Since then, Bethesda has tried to expandStarfield’s reach, but it’s still proving to be a challenge.
The launch of its first DLC last year, Shattered Space, also received the same heavily-mixed reviews, making the game’s post-launch lifespan look shorter than it was once hoped for. Bethesda has now kept suspiciously quiet about itsfuture plans forStarfield, leaving the future of the game a huge question mark.Starfieldmay not have generated the fanfare that Bethesda was hoping for, but before the developer sets the IP aside, there is still the potential for the game to produce a strong prequel.
The Founding of the United Colonies Could Open the Door to Some Serious Prequel Potential
Despite its Divisive Nature, Starfield Holds Interesting Lore
Starfield’s hard sci-fi approachmay keep it from fun concepts like intergalactic battles with intelligent alien life, but the lore that makes up the game’s fictional history is still fascinating in its own right. A hypothetical prequel that followed the days of the earlier settlers of the Alpha Centauri system could lend itself to more story potential than whatStarfield’s premise allowed.
Colonizing the Unknown Reaches of Space
InStarfield, the Alpha Centauri system has already been colonized and built into a community, but if a prequel focused on being an explorer who was in charge of settling these various planets, it could potentially be more exciting.The world ofStarfieldmay have its downsides, but a story where players can help build an early precursor to the capital city of New Atlantis might give the franchise a compelling Wild West edge.
Just like the early days of the Wild West era, adventuring and taking over land would be essential to space exploration.Starfieldshowcases an idealized version of space colonization, and demonstrating that optimism from the very beginning could add an extra later to the game’s overall lore.
Many gamers are also waiting forThe Elder Scrolls 6to get another update. After being announced in 2018, Bethesda has yet to reveal another trailer.
The Wait for Starfield’s Next DLC Continues
The original plan forStarfieldinvolved yearly expansions, but after feedback tothe base game and Shattered Space, it’s unclear if those ambitions will continue. If there’s another DLC waiting in the wings, it will hopefully be revealed at the upcoming Xbox Games Showcase.
The Xbox Games Showcase airs on June 8.Starfieldhas also been rumored to be getting a PS5 port. If there was ever the perfect stage to make such an announcement, the Xbox Games Showcase would be the place.
There’s no way to know for sure what’s on the horizon, butStarfieldcould possibly benefit more from the prequel treatment than attempting to expand its base story. Asthe wait for moreStarfieldnewscontinues, it will be interesting to see if Bethesda makes any fresh announcements in the coming weeks.
