A developer from Bethesda has officially announced that Starfield is set to receive a brand-new story DLC, in addition to complimentary updates and enhancements to gameplay. The first narrative expansion, Shattered Space, launched in September 2024 and was met with enthusiastic feedback from the community. However, it did not significantly boost the game's declining player numbers. With the introduction of a second DLC, there is hope for a positive turnaround in engagement.

For a while now, Bethesda has been subtly indicating the development of a second expansion for Starfield, as Todd Howard previously outlined plans for "Year 2" updates back in June 2024, which included a DLC. The specifics have been kept under wraps, but a recent online discovery of a patent for the name "Starborn" has sparked speculation that this could be the title of the upcoming expansion, possibly hinting at the storyline's direction.

During a developer spotlight, Tim Lamb, the lead creative producer for Starfield, shared that the team at Bethesda is actively working on "free updates, features highly requested by players, and a new DLC story." This assurance highlights the ongoing commitment to expanding the sci-fi RPG's content. Lamb also mentioned that "a segment of the team is dedicated to enhancing space gameplay to make interstellar travel more fulfilling," and confirmed that new Starfield Creation mods are in development.

Although no specific release date was provided, industry insiders suggest that Starfield's second expansion may not arrive until 2026. Intriguingly, recent leaks indicate that Starfield could be ported to PlayStation 5 and Switch 2 around spring 2026. Aligning a major story DLC release with these platform expansions would be a strategic move to maximize sales and reach a broader audience.

Community rumors have been circulating about potential revamps to ship travel in Starfield, as modders exploring recent updates found evidence of an unimplemented "cruise mode" feature. Lamb's comments about making space travel "more rewarding" seem to support these rumors, suggesting a shift from the current loading screens to a more interactive and seamless experience during interstellar journeys.

Overall, this news is encouraging for fans, as Bethesda's dedication to releasing new content demonstrates a strong commitment to Starfield's longevity. While many game studios might reduce support when profits decline, Bethesda's decision to continue investing in the game despite mixed initial reception is commendable. The upcoming expansion represents a significant opportunity for Starfield to evolve into a success story that overcomes its challenging start.