The video discusses the mixed reception of Starfield’s DLC “Shattered Space,” highlighting player dissatisfaction with its content and value, as many feel it did not significantly enhance the game or justify its $30 price tag. Despite Bethesda’s ongoing updates and Todd Howard’s commitment to future expansions, player engagement has declined, with current player counts on Xbox and Steam reflecting a drop in interest.
The video discusses the mixed reception of the Starfield DLC titled “Shattered Space,” highlighting the controversy surrounding its release and the subsequent decline in player engagement. While some fans argue that the backlash represents a vocal minority, the player counts suggest a broader discontent with the expansion. The video notes that there has been limited communication from Bethesda and Xbox regarding the feedback on the DLC until recently when Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, shared insights from Todd Howard on the expansion’s reception.
Phil Spencer mentioned that both he and Howard recognized that players were expecting more features from “Shattered Space.” Despite the addition of new content and updates throughout 2024, many players felt that the expansion did not significantly enhance the game or justify its $30 price tag. Critics noted that the DLC felt small and that it appeared to restore cut content rather than provide substantial new experiences. The video emphasizes that while some updates improved gameplay mechanics, they did not address the core issues that players had with the exploration and content within the game.
The video points out that the exploration aspect of Starfield was lacking, with many locations feeling repetitive and uninteresting. Although the introduction of a new vehicle improved travel within the game, it did not resolve the underlying problems with the game’s content. The criticism was that players wanted more unique and engaging content specific to the new expansion rather than just a new mode of transportation. The video argues that the writing and overall quality of the new content did not meet the high standards typically associated with Bethesda games.
Despite ongoing efforts from Bethesda, including recent updates that fixed bugs and added new features, the overall sentiment among players remains mixed to negative. The video highlights that Starfield currently has fewer players than any other Bethesda game on Xbox, indicating a decline in interest. It also mentions that the player count on Steam has returned to pre-expansion levels, suggesting that many who returned for the DLC have since left the game.
Looking ahead, Todd Howard has expressed a desire to continue releasing expansions for Starfield as long as there is player interest. However, the video notes that the pace of updates is expected to slow down in 2025. As the game struggles to maintain its player base, it appears that mods may play a significant role in revitalizing interest in Starfield until the next expansion is released, likely slated for late 2025.