Bethesda Boss Dampens Expectations for Starfield Update

Todd Howard says upcoming changes are not a 'Starfield 2.0' overhaul

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Bethesda boss Todd Howard has confirmed that the next update for the sci-fi RPG Starfield will not be a major 2.0-style overhaul, dampening expectations for significant changes to the game. Howard stated that if players didn't connect with Starfield initially, the upcoming updates are unlikely to fundamentally change that.

Why it matters

Starfield has faced a mixed reception since its launch, with some players finding the game boring or not engaging enough. Bethesda's comments suggest they are not planning a Cyberpunk 2077-style major revamp, which could disappoint fans hoping for more substantial improvements.

The details

Howard said the upcoming Starfield updates will include "changes the game" in a more incremental way, rather than a complete overhaul. He acknowledged that if players "bounced off" Starfield initially, the new content is unlikely to change their opinion "fundamentally." The updates are expected to be revealed "soonish," according to Howard.

  • In September 2024, Starfield's first expansion 'Shattered Space' launched to a 'Mostly Negative' Steam user rating.
  • In August 2025, it was reported that Bethesda had delayed Starfield's second expansion due to the weak sales of 'Shattered Space'.

The players

Todd Howard

The director and executive producer at Bethesda Game Studios, responsible for overseeing the development of Starfield.

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What they’re saying

“Obviously, we've been working on a lot of Starfield content. I can tell everybody we are going to be talking about [the new content] really soon.”

— Todd Howard, Director and Executive Producer, Bethesda Game Studios (Kinda Funny)

“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, Director and Executive Producer, Bethesda Game Studios (Kinda Funny)

What’s next

Bethesda is expected to reveal more details about the upcoming Starfield updates "soonish," according to Todd Howard.

The takeaway

Bethesda's comments suggest they are taking a more cautious approach to updating Starfield, focusing on incremental changes rather than a major overhaul. This may disappoint some players who were hoping for more substantial improvements, but it also indicates the studio is not rushing to dramatically alter the core game experience.