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

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

A Strong Foundation for a Stellar Sequel

Bruce Nesmith, a former lead designer at Bethesda with a significant contribution to titles like Skyrim and Oblivion, recently predicted that Starfield 2, should it materialize, will be "one hell of a game." Having left Bethesda in September 2021, Nesmith believes the groundwork laid by the original Starfield provides a robust platform for a superior sequel. He anticipates the sequel will not only build upon its predecessor but potentially surpass it, leveraging lessons learned and existing foundational elements.

Nesmith, in an interview with VideoGamer, highlighted the iterative nature of sequel development, citing the evolution of Skyrim from Oblivion and Oblivion from Morrowind. He suggests that Starfield's initial development, which involved building new systems and technologies from scratch, will streamline the sequel's creation.

"I’m looking forward to Starfield 2," Nesmith stated. "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…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."

He drew parallels to franchises like Mass Effect and Assassin's Creed, emphasizing that sequels often refine and expand upon the initial game's foundation to achieve iconic status. "It takes, sadly, sometimes a second or third version of the game in order to really enrich everything," Nesmith added.

A Lengthy Wait for Starfield 2: Potentially a Decade

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

Howard emphasized Bethesda's deliberate approach to game development and franchise management, prioritizing quality over speed. "We just want to get it right and make sure that everything we’re doing in a franchise…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, initiated in 2018, is still in its early stages, according to Bethesda's head of publishing, Pete Hines. Howard further confirmed to IGN that Fallout 5 will follow The Elder Scrolls VI in development. Considering this, and Phil Spencer's 2023 statement that The Elder Scrolls VI is "at least five years out," a Starfield 2 release before the mid-2030s seems unlikely.

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 initial concerns, and the promise of further DLC in the coming years, offer a bridge to the potential arrival of Starfield 2.