Anticipate the arrival of Starfield’s most considerable update since its release on May 15! The forthcoming May Update is set to enrich the game with more intricate surface maps, a variety of new gameplay difficulty options and performance adjustments, enhanced features for ship customization, and beyond!
Join Community Director Jessica Finster and her guests, Joe Mueller, Istvan Pely, and Tim Lamb from Bethesda Game Studios, for a thorough exploration of all that the update encompasses, along with a glimpse into what lies ahead for Starfield.
Guided by community feedback, Bethesda Game Studios has focused on one of the most sought-after enhancements: more elaborate surface maps. This latest update offers maps that replace ambiguous dots with clear terrain indicators. This change, along with the inclusion of visible points of interest on the map, significantly simplifies navigation and awareness of one’s surroundings.
New markers have also been introduced in key urban areas, pinpointing vendor locations and serving as convenient fast travel points, enabling swift and straightforward access either through the Scanner or the map itself.
This update unleashes an array of new gameplay options. These include adjustments to vendor credits and carrying capacity, the convenience of accessing ship cargo directly from your player inventory, and the opportunity to experiment with survival elements like food effects and environmental challenges. Additionally, new combat presets allow for customized combat difficulty, including an Extreme difficulty level surpassing Very Hard. These customizable settings grant players the freedom to tailor their experience to their gameplay preferences, possibly earning extra experience based on these adjustments.
Your ship represents more than just a mode of transportation in Starfield—it’s your mobile home. With the latest update, the scope for interior customizations in your ship expands, aligning closely with the customization options for outposts. The introduction of new, completely barren hab modules invites players to design their ship’s interior from the ground up, offering more flexibility in layout and door placements.
Responding to feedback for more customizable graphic and performance options on Xbox similar to those available on PC, this functionality is now being brought to Xbox Series X. Players can fine-tune their gaming experience to match their preferred playstyle and display capabilities.
We strongly recommend employing a Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) Display at 120hz and ensuring your Xbox is configured to support it. With these settings, Starfield is optimized to aim for a frame rate target of 40, prioritizing comprehensive visuals.
- Frame Rate Target: Choices now include 30, 40, 60, or an Uncapped frame rate on VRR displays. For those without a VRR display at 120hz, options of 30 or 60 remain available, with a potential for screen tearing at the higher frame rate setting on non-VRR displays.
- Prioritize: Options to prioritize between Visuals and Performance help maintain the selected frame rate. Aiming for a higher frame rate target suggests a shift towards Performance, reducing internal resolution and detail for certain effects, while choosing Visuals ensures the highest resolution and detail preservation. Adjusting these settings can dynamically affect resolution based on scene complexity or action intensity. Switching modes may momentarily alter lighting as adjustments take effect.
Replay value is paramount in Bethesda Game Studios titles, and Starfield’s universe expands further with New Game Plus. Upon entering the Unity, players can modify both their appearance and Traits, offering a fresh perspective on their journey.
This update not only brings major features but also includes numerous quality-of-life improvements. These enhancements range from a toggle for the dialogue camera, allowing for a more immersive narrative experience, to new navigational tabs in the Container and Barter menus for smoother menu interactions.
The roadmap for Starfield remains ambitious post-update. Planned additions include a land vehicle for faster planetary navigation, official modding support, and the vast Shattered Space expansion. Stay tuned for future developments in the coming months.
