Starfield’s Next DLC Might Take Longer Than Expected

There was a time when Starfield appeared set to be Bethesda’s next major success. As time went on, flaws became visible.

The game debuted in 2023 with decent ratings, but players found it less exciting the longer they stayed in its galaxy. Steam ratings dropped to "Mixed," and many players started leaving, unhappy with the procedural content and missing the handcrafted detail Bethesda used to deliver.

The 2024 Shattered Space expansion was intended to attract players again, but it didn’t have the desired effect. It was released on time and had Bethesda’s trademark feel, but it didn’t generate a significant rise in player base or recognition.

Wasn’t the Second DLC Expected in 2025?

Fans expected a second expansion since Shattered Space dropped a year after launch, so a 2025 DLC release made sense, but now those expectations are changing.

Multiple credible voices, including Xbox insider Jez Corden and reliable leaker NateTheHate, have suggested that Starfield’s next DLC won’t arrive this year after all.

Both acknowledged development is in progress, but their comments suggest the release is expected in 2026 rather than 2025.

According to Corden, Bethesda’s internal teams are currently splitting their time between the Starfield DLC and early production on The Elder Scrolls VI.

With Fallout 5 recently approved, the studio is now juggling three big franchises at the same time.

Why Didn’t Bethesda Announce It Yet?

Fans had been looking forward to a DLC announcement or teaser during the Xbox Games Showcase this year.

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But the fact that Starfield was missing raised questions, and many have taken that to mean the expansion isn’t nearly done.

Some wonder if Bethesda planned to release it in 2025 at all, or if fans only guessed that because of the first DLC’s timing.

The key point is this: if 2025 was never the goal, then this isn't a delay but simply slower progress than expected.

Is Starfield at Risk of Being Abandoned?

It’s still difficult to ignore concerns about Starfield’s future since Xbox Game Studios has had layoffs and canceled projects recently.

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Starfield hasn’t been officially called at-risk, but its progress has definitely slowed down. If the second DLC fails to pull players back in, there’s a growing concern that Bethesda may not commit to further expansions at all.

Some fans are already calling Shattered Space the beginning of the end, especially given the lackluster reaction it received.

But not everything is bad since Starfield’s modding community is still going strong despite the uneven release of official content.

In fact, mods for the game have climbed high on Nexus Mods’ download charts, even surpassing older Bethesda titles like Morrowind.

The true future of Starfield, for some players, lies not in Bethesda’s next steps but in ongoing community efforts. So, while the next DLC is coming, it will probably not be released until 2026.

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