Amid the buzz surrounding The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Bethesda has released a surprise patch for Starfield, enhancing performance with the addition of 'Very Low' display settings, bolstering mod support through Creations, and addressing numerous issues across quests, vehicles, user interfaces, and the Shattered Space DLC.
This update, currently available in Steam beta, invites PC players to opt-in and provide feedback. Bethesda shared detailed patch notes on their website, encouraging community engagement.
While this update primarily focuses on new features and bug fixes, Starfield enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting news on future DLCs.
Launched in September 2023, Starfield marked Bethesda's first new IP in 25 years. However, it didn't achieve the same acclaim as the studio's Elder Scrolls and Fallout series. The subsequent Shattered Space expansion, released in September 2024, received a 'mostly negative' user rating on Steam.
Despite attracting 15 million players, there were concerns that Bethesda might shift focus away from Starfield. However, the studio has reassured fans of "exciting things" planned for 2025, emphasizing their commitment to the game. In June 2024, Bethesda confirmed ongoing support for Starfield, promising at least one more story expansion following Shattered Space. Todd Howard, in an interview with YouTube channel MrMattyPlays, outlined plans for annual story expansions for the foreseeable future.
Speculation about a PlayStation 5 version of Starfield intensified in March after fans noticed a PlayStation logo on Bethesda's official Creations website. Although the logo was quickly removed, it fueled rumors of a potential PS5 release.
As attention shifts to Oblivion Remastered, Starfield fans are hopeful for major announcements at the Xbox Games Showcase on June 8. Could this event reveal a PS5 version and a new expansion? Fans are eager to see if Bethesda will follow the shadow-drop strategy used for Oblivion Remastered.
Starfield Update 1.15.214 Patch Notes:
FEATURES
- Added Very Low display settings to enhance performance on some devices.
- Creation Kit: Creators can now add new icons to the game.
- Creations Store now supports bundling Creations.
- Creation Kit: Creations up to 2GB in size can now be uploaded.
BUG FIXES
GENERAL
- Creations: Fixed a possible error when restoring load order after installing and then deleting a large number of mods.
- Creation Kit: Fixed a possible crash when loading a plugin with an ingredient form.
- Addressed a possible control lock that could occur when changing views and sitting in a pilot seat while landed.
- Addressed a rare movement lock during forced dialogue scenes.
- Addressed a control lock if a vehicle Creation was disabled while a loaded save depended on it.
- Addressed a rare control lock when immediately opening a menu after loading a save during take-off.
- Fixed an issue preventing exit from a vanity camera (PC).
- Fixed a possible crash related to moving or removing buildings at the Main Outpost in Andraphon.
- Resolved a rare crash when entering the Unity.
- Addressed an issue where rapid quicksaving could result in some quicksaves being removed.
- General crash and stability fixes.
- Creations UI fixes and improvements.
GAMEPLAY
- Skills: The Cargo Link and Robots build limits from the Outpost Management skills now persist after going through the Unity.
- Weapons: The Space-Adept legendary effect no longer has a negative modifier for terrestrial damage.
- Gameplay Options: Addressed an issue with some interiors preventing cargo access.
- Gameplay Options: Clarified the status effects text for Malnourished and Hydrated.
- Fixed a Grav jumping issue after being hailed in Freestar or UC space.
- Fixed a rare issue impacting items displayed in the Razorleaf.
- Resolved an issue with missiles preventing XP awards.
- Fixed a player placement issue when a new creation was installed and a save was loaded into the UC Vigilance.
- Resolved an issue where creatures could get moved to water if stuck.
- Addressed an issue where dropped items could lose their stolen status.
- At Hell's Gate: The Crucible Blade no longer damages ships in orbit when used inside a ship.
- At Hell's Gate: The Crucible Blade audio now plays correctly after loading a save or fast traveling.
- The Bounty Board in the Tracker's Alliance HQ now has correct audio interactions.
GRAPHICS
- Updated resolutions to include 32:9 and 32:10, as well as more 16:9, 16:10, and 21:9 resolutions.
- Performance: Resolved an issue causing frame rate drops when opening the scanner during long play sessions.
- Celestial bodies now remain visible in the sky after entering and exiting interiors.
QUESTS
- All That Money Can Buy: Fixed a rare issue causing the Trade Tower elevator to be inoperable.
- In Memoriam: Addressed an issue where completing "At Hell's Gate" with Sarah as the companion could prevent quest completion.
- Perfect Recipe: Shonda will now recover if downed while collecting Ashta meat.
- The Starjacker: Adjusted dialogue options for characters post-Unity entry.
- Top of the L.I.S.T. - Resolved a control lock after selling survey data to Phil Hill.
- Trackers Alliance: Resolved an issue where bounty scanner quests could time out.
- Trackers Alliance: Fixed a rare issue where killing or stunning the target would not complete the bounty missions.
- Worlds Apart: Fixed an issue allowing the player to leave the planet too quickly after exiting the temple.
LOCATIONS
- Mannequins now persist as intended in the New Atlantis Penthouse.
- Players can now modify shelves and cabinets in the Core Manor in Akila City.
- Resolved an issue preventing scanning of some flora.
- At Hell's Gate: The Plasma Research Facility now appears on the surface map.
- Fixed a visible opening in the Deserted Biotics Lab.
- Vent Hazards now display correctly on Jemison.
UI
- Ship Builder: Fixed an issue with the ship upgrade menu when only one module is available.
- Ship Builder: Addressed a selection issue when using large fonts.
- Ship Decoration: Updated the names of Empty ship modules.
- All buttons now work in the Vehicle Builder menu with large fonts enabled.
- Localization: Text for the Dehydrated debuff no longer cuts off in Spanish and Polish when large fonts are enabled.
- Localization: The bounty boards in the Tracker's Alliance HQ are now consistently localized.
- Localization: Strings for both Hydrated and Dehydrated status effects regarding sneak attacks are fully localized.
VEHICLE
- A keyboard binding is now available for the boost button. (PC)
- A marker for the vehicle now appears on the player's compass.
- Resolved a camera issue for players with maxed out Surveying skill.
- Improved logic for exiting the vehicle when partially obstructed.
- The vehicle now deploys when landing at locations other than spaceports or landing pads.
- Addressed a visible artifact with the Rev-8 when boosting in foggy conditions.
Shattered Space
- Va'ruun outpost modules are now available to players after entering the Unity.
- Skills: Killing enemies inside gravity bubbles on Dazra now counts towards the Gymnastics skill.
- Addressed an issue with the buttons on the lift on the Mourning level in Dazra.
- Weapons: The Penumbra now deals bonus headshot damage.
- Performance: Addressed an issue causing slight stutters in the Well and outside Dazra.
- The Va'Ruun Schimaz's blade is no longer pixelated on the Data Menu.
- Fixed a lens flare flicker with the Citadel on Dazra.
- Zealous Overreach: Adjusted Mirek’s dialogue options to account for characters that have been through the Unity.
- Zealous Overreach: Resolved an issue that could occur if the player cleared Shadow Station Epsilon prior to speaking to Ekris.
