Summary
Starfield, Bethesda’s most recent open-world RPG, hasn’t quite managed to reach the highs of its other flagship properties,The ElderScrollsandFallout. While the latter two have had much longer to be established, as the studio’s first new IP in decades,Starfieldwas 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 intoStarfieldby adding inFalloutorThe Elder Scrolls-related content in order to win back players, and bring some positive attention back to it this year.
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 theREV-8 space buggyalong with a slew of more minor but still welcome quality of life and accessibility tweaks, filled in some of the holes inStarfield’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 ofStarfieldwell 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 giveStarfielda boost.
Obsidian Entertainment’s upcoming sequel to its own sci-fi RPG,The Outer Worlds 2, is set to release this year, and could put additional pressure on Bethesda to release significant content forStarfieldsooner than later.
How Bethesda Could Inject Starfield With Fallout and The Elder Scrolls Content
As stated, Bethesda has previously promised that moreStarfieldcontent will be coming in 2025, but what and when this will be is currently unclear. WithFalloutandThe Elder Scrollshaving higher profiles and remaining more popular in general, this might provide reason to insert them intoStarfieldin some manner. While any potential crossovers or DLCs likely won’t be canon,Starfieldadding 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 thatStarfieldmight reference the other franchises. It could add locations resembling New Vegas or a futuristic take onFallout 4’s Diamond City, almost like Akila or Neon, but more obviously channelingFallout.Starfield’s alternate universe angle could also allow adding more outlandish elements, such asFallout’s alien Zetans, into the mix. These are just a few of the possibilitiesStarfieldhas to referenceFallout, as there is a wealth of material to draw from should Bethesda choose to.
The Elder Scrollsmight 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 withStarfield’s NASA-punk aesthetics. A new companion that calls back to those fromTEScould 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 byFalloutandTES. 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 inStarfieldas players await its next major updates.
