Starfield launched in 2023 with the promise of at least one major expansion yearly, but almost two years later, the silence around its second expansion is stirring frustration among fans. After a lukewarm reception for Shattered Space, Bethesda’s quiet approach is leaving the community restless and wondering what’s next.
The first expansion, Shattered Space, was announced well before the game’s release but arrived a full year later. It brought new gear and lore but failed to address many gameplay issues players had pointed out since launch. Critics and players found it shallow, repetitive, and overpriced for what it offered. That underwhelming experience hasn’t helped the game’s momentum.
Despite Todd Howard confirming in June 2024 that a second expansion is in the works, Bethesda has barely shared any meaningful updates since then. A vague social media post in March mentioned interesting plans but didn’t reveal any details. Bethesda also skipped mentioning Starfield at the Xbox Games Showcase, missing a prime opportunity to reassure fans.
The rumored second expansion is said to focus on the mysterious Starborn, but with no concrete information, the community remains adrift. The silence feels heavier when compared to Bethesda’s ongoing support for Fallout 76, which has seen continuous content updates for over seven years.
Bethesda’s promise of annual expansions now feels hollow. Only one expansion, and that one revealed before the launch, has materialized. If the Starborn expansion follows the same disappointing path as Shattered Space or doesn’t appear at all, it could seriously damage Starfield’s reputation after more than a decade in development.
Fans are pinning their hopes on a reveal or announcement at Gamescom 2025, which is just weeks away. Bethesda will be there, but their role and what they plan to show remain unknown. Meanwhile, Starfield’s player base is shrinking fast, Steam numbers have dropped by 99.2% since launch, and Twitch viewership is barely a handful at any time.
