Starfield May Need to Hit the Emergency Button on One Type of Content

Starfield, Bethesda’s most recent open-world RPG, hasn’t quite managed to reach the highs of its other flagship properties, The Elder Scrolls and Fallout. While the latter two have had much longer to be established, as the studio’s first new IP in decades, Starfield was a bit of a gamble when it launched in 2023, and has charted a somewhat uneven path since. Initial reception was mixed, but the developer outlined its intentions for ongoing support and content updates.

Its biggest expansion to date, Starfield‘s Shattered Space DLC, dropped last September, right around its one-year anniversary. The DLC saw a similarly understated reaction, and failed to significantly move the needle. Given how the situation now stands, Bethesda may wish to consider breathing new life into Starfield by adding in Fallout or The Elder Scrolls-related content in order to win back players, and bring some positive attention back to it this year.

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Bethesda May Need to Break Out The Elder Scrolls, Fallout Crossover Content for Starfield This Year

Starfield Has Been Stuck Between Stations

Though prior updates, like the REV-8 space buggy along with a slew of more minor but still welcome quality of life and accessibility tweaks, filled in some of the holes in Starfield‘s hull, it has since found itself stuck in what feels like a holding pattern. Bethesda stated it has ambitious plans and is committed to continued support of Starfield well into the future. But 2025 has been quiet for it so far, with the studio only reinforcing that more content is indeed forthcoming, but not revealing the details or timetable for it at the time of writing. With player interest seemingly waning, Bethesda might need to lean on its other IPs to give Starfield a boost.

How Bethesda Could Inject Starfield With Fallout and The Elder Scrolls Content

As stated, Bethesda has previously promised that more Starfield content will be coming in 2025, but what and when this will be is currently unclear. With Fallout and The Elder Scrolls having higher profiles and remaining more popular in general, this might provide reason to insert them into Starfield in some manner. While any potential crossovers or DLCs likely won’t be canon, Starfield adding in existing elements from the other franchises could be a fun idea that entices players to return to it.

Even if DLC of this nature wouldn’t entail a dedicated story like Shattered Space, its setting provides a couple of ways that Starfield might reference the other franchises. It could add locations resembling New Vegas or a futuristic take on Fallout 4‘s Diamond City, almost like Akila or Neon, but more obviously channeling Fallout. Starfield‘s alternate universe angle could also allow adding more outlandish elements, such as Fallout‘s alien Zetans, into the mix. These are just a few of the possibilities Starfield has to reference Fallout, as there is a wealth of material to draw from should Bethesda choose to.

The Elder Scrolls might be a little trickier to incorporate given the radical differences between grounded sci-fi and traditional high fantasy. Nevertheless, there are some ideas, like planets or major cities, that, instead of the above, have a strong fantasy flair and vibe combined with Starfield‘s NASA-punk aesthetics. A new companion that calls back to those from TES could also be a cool twist that wouldn’t be too out of place.

A slightly easier way of adding in elements may be new weapons and armor sets inspired by Fallout and TES. These would impact the story and setting less than the above while still providing fresh gameplay options that could please fans of either series and help reignite interest in Starfield as players await its next major updates.

Systems

Released

September 6, 2023

ESRB

M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs, Strong Language, Violence