Bethesda might finally give Starfield the overhaul it desperately needs. According to Windows Central’s Jez Corden, the studio recently held a closed-door event showcasing major improvements coming to the space RPG in 2026. The update tackles one of the game’s most criticized flaws by reducing loading screens and introducing more free-form space travel. The announcement comes alongside confirmation that Starfield will expand to PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2, marking the first time a modern Bethesda RPG launches on Nintendo hardware since Skyrim.
The Loading Screen Problem Gets Fixed
Starfield launched in September 2023 to mixed reactions, with much criticism focused on excessive loading screens that broke immersion. Want to enter your ship? Loading screen. Land on a planet? Loading screen. Dock with a space station? Another loading screen. These constant interruptions made exploration feel disjointed, especially when compared to games like No Man’s Sky where you can seamlessly fly from space to planetary surfaces without interruption.
The 2026 update reportedly transforms how space travel works by making it more continuous and free-form. While specific details remain scarce, sources suggest you’ll be able to fly between locations within a star system without hitting loading screens every few minutes. Creation Engine has allegedly received significant technical upgrades to support these improvements, which will also benefit future Bethesda games including Elder Scrolls 6 and the next Fallout.
What Todd Howard Said Before
The irony here is thick. Back in 2022, Todd Howard explicitly defended Starfield’s loading screen approach, telling IGN that seamless planetary landings weren’t important enough to justify the engineering work. He said the team decided early that surface exploration and space flight would be separate realities rather than one continuous experience. Howard argued spending time on the transition between those states wasn’t worth it compared to making each area individually excellent.
Players disagreed loudly. The loading screens became one of the most common complaints in reviews and community discussions. It appears Bethesda listened and is now doing exactly what Howard said wasn’t worth the effort. This represents a significant reversal and suggests the studio recognizes Starfield needs fundamental improvements to win back disappointed fans. Whether this qualifies as a full Cyberpunk 2.0 style redemption arc remains contested, with some sources downplaying the scope of changes while others who attended the showcase were apparently far more enthusiastic.
The Cruise Mode Discovery
Dataminers found evidence of these changes back in August 2025 when code strings referencing cruise mode appeared in Starfield files. Players speculated this meant faster travel between planets within the same solar system, possibly allowing ships to move at light speed or faster without loading screens. Bethesda quickly removed the code from subsequent builds, which only fueled speculation something big was brewing behind the scenes. Tim Lamb from Bethesda hinted in September that the team was focused on space gameplay to make travel more rewarding, but provided zero specifics.
Expanding to New Platforms
Starfield landing on PlayStation 5 was inevitable after Microsoft announced its multiplatform strategy earlier this year. The surprise is Nintendo Switch 2 getting the game simultaneously. Bethesda has apparently optimized Starfield for low-power devices like handhelds, which explains how it could run on Nintendo’s next console. The Switch 2 version will test whether Nintendo’s hardware can handle current-generation games without major compromises.
Reports suggest the PlayStation 5 port and second expansion were originally planned for 2025 but got pushed to early 2026 due to Microsoft’s crowded holiday schedule and the delay of Grand Theft Auto 6. Other sources claim the update might arrive later in 2026, so timing remains uncertain. The expansion possibly titled Terran Armada based on a hidden message in Bethesda’s anniversary video will launch alongside these platform releases and the major gameplay overhaul.
The Shattered Space Problem
Starfield’s first expansion, Shattered Space, released in September 2024 to mostly negative reception on Steam. Players expected a major content drop with system overhauls and new features. What they got was a fairly traditional story expansion set on a single planet with limited new mechanics. The expansion sold poorly, which reportedly contributed to Microsoft delaying further content to give Bethesda more time to deliver something substantial.
Todd Howard previously said Bethesda aimed to release annual story expansions for Starfield, potentially for years. That plan seems dead after Shattered Space’s failure. The studio appears to be pivoting toward fewer but more ambitious updates that address core gameplay issues rather than just adding story content. Whether this strategy works better depends entirely on execution and whether the improvements are dramatic enough to bring disappointed players back.
Bethesda Stretched Thin
Jez Corden’s report notes Bethesda is quite stretched trying to capitalize on the Fallout TV show’s success while simultaneously working on Elder Scrolls 6, supporting Starfield, and handling various smaller projects. The studio faced significant layoffs in 2024 affecting its London office and ZeniMax Online Studios. An unannounced MMORPG got canceled entirely. The majority of Bethesda Game Studios has now shifted to Elder Scrolls 6 development, meaning Starfield work is being handled by a smaller team.
This resource crunch explains the long silence between Starfield updates and why Bethesda couldn’t deliver on Todd Howard’s promise of regular substantial content drops. The studio is trying to support multiple massive franchises simultaneously with finite staff and budget. Something had to give, and unfortunately that something was consistent Starfield support throughout 2025. The 2026 update represents a bet that one big overhaul will generate more value than multiple smaller patches.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Starfield 2026 update releasing?
The exact date hasn’t been announced. Some sources suggest early 2026 alongside the PlayStation 5 and Switch 2 ports, while others claim later in the year. Bethesda has not officially confirmed timing.
Will the space travel be like No Man’s Sky?
No. While Starfield will apparently allow more seamless travel between locations within a star system, you still won’t be able to fly directly from a planet’s surface into space or fly between different star systems without some form of transition. It’s an improvement but not a complete overhaul to No Man’s Sky levels.
Is Starfield coming to PlayStation 5?
Yes, reports indicate Starfield will release on PlayStation 5 in 2026 alongside the major update and second expansion. This follows Microsoft’s multiplatform strategy for certain Xbox titles.
Will Starfield run on Switch 2?
According to the reports, yes. Bethesda has optimized Starfield for low-power devices, which should allow it to run on Nintendo Switch 2. Performance and visual quality remain unknown until we see it running.
What is Terran Armada?
Terran Armada is the rumored title of Starfield’s second expansion based on a hidden message discovered in one of Bethesda’s anniversary videos. Nothing has been officially confirmed about the expansion’s name or content.
Will these improvements come to all versions?
Yes, the space travel improvements and Creation Engine upgrades will apply to all platforms including existing Xbox and PC versions. Everyone benefits from the technical work.
Has Bethesda officially announced any of this?
No. All of this information comes from insider reports and sources who attended the private Bethesda showcase. Take everything with appropriate skepticism until official announcements arrive.
Is Bethesda abandoning Creation Engine for Unreal?
No. The reports specifically mention Creation Engine receiving significant technical upgrades that will carry forward to future games. Bethesda remains committed to its proprietary technology.
Can It Be Saved
Starfield’s potential has never been in question. The game features excellent ship customization, deep RPG systems, solid gunplay, and fascinating lore about humanity’s expansion into space. What hurt it was repetitive exploration, excessive loading screens, and procedurally generated content that felt samey after a few hours. If the 2026 update genuinely addresses these core problems, Starfield could experience a Cyberpunk 2077 style renaissance where improvements fundamentally change player perception. CD Projekt Red proved games can recover from rough launches with sustained effort and substantial updates. Whether Bethesda delivers on that scale remains to be seen. The studio has a mixed track record with post-launch support. Fallout 76 eventually improved significantly after a disastrous launch, but it took years. Skyrim and Fallout 4 got decent DLC but no fundamental system overhauls. The Creation Engine upgrades suggest Bethesda is willing to do deeper work this time, especially knowing those improvements benefit Elder Scrolls 6 and future projects. Starfield’s 2026 might determine whether it’s remembered as a disappointing misfire or a flawed launch that evolved into something special. Either way, PlayStation and Switch players finally getting access expands the potential audience significantly.