Summary
Xbox boss Phil Spencer has revealed that Bethesda’s Todd Howard wonders if holding back the release ofStarfield’s REV-8 buggy for theShattered Spaceexpansion could have been the right choice.The REV-8 gaveStarfieldplayers a new way to traverse the surface of planets and, for a long time post-launch, was probably the most requested feature for the game.
After almost a year of waiting, Bethesda released theREV-8 forStarfieldin August 2024. It was a huge step for the studio, which had never previously released a game on the Creation engine with player-controlled vehicles. It’s an impressive feat that massively improves planetary exploration, with many wondering why it wasn’t included in the base game in the first place. The release ofStarfield’s REV-8 came just a month beforeShattered Spacewas launched in a free update, and it was somewhat of a surprise that the feature wasn’t bundled with the expansion.
Speaking toGame File, Xbox’s Phil Spencer spoke about a conversation he had recently with Bethesda’s Todd Howard. Recalling the conversation with Howard about thereception toStarfield’s recentShattered SpaceDLC, Spencer said, “I think some of the feedback on the expansion is: “We wanted more features.” And he’s like, “Well, should we have waited to put buggies out?”” Spencer went on, “I think you’re trying to tune both development effort and the impact of the expansion. And I think there will always be a balance to managing the game month to month.”
Starfield Could Have Delayed the Buggies for Shattered Space
While theShattered Spaceexpansion faced plenty of criticism, lots of it seems to be centered on how the DLC doesn’t deviate enough fromStarfield’s core gameplay loop. It’s more of the same of a game that many didn’t love in the first place. While delaying the REV-8 undoubtedly would have added to the expansion’s content offerings, it’s unlikely to have tipped the balance in the court of public opinion. If anything, Bethesda made the right choice by making it a free update, rather than something players needed to pay for.
DespiteShattered Space’s mixed response from fans, Bethesda hasn’t given up onStarfield. Earlier this month, the studio released abig update forStarfield, bringing tons of important fixes to the game. It remains to be seen whether Bethesda plans to release any more expansions forStarfield, remaining tight-lipped on the topic for now. The developer is also at work onThe Elder Scrolls 6at the moment, so it’s unclear whether that will impact any decisions onStarfield’s future.
Starfield
WHERE TO PLAY
Starfield is the first new universe in 25 years from Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4. In this next generation role-playing game set amongst the stars, create any character you want and explore with unparalleled freedom as you embark on an epic journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery.The year is 2330. Humanity has ventured beyond our solar system, settling new planets, and living as a spacefaring people. From humble beginnings as a space miner, you will join Constellation – the last group of space explorers seeking rare artifacts throughout the galaxy – and navigate the vast expanse of the Settled Systems in Bethesda Game Studios’ biggest and most ambitious game.
