Bethesda Game Studios is unlikely to ever make Starfield 2, according to former lead systems designer Kurt Kuhlmann. Speaking in an interview with FRVR, Kuhlmann pointed out that the sci-fi action role-playing game simply did not achieve the commercial or critical reach required to justify a full-fledged follow-up.
Kuhlmann, who departed Bethesda following the launch of the massive space exploration title, reflected on the missed potential of the franchise. While director Todd Howard envisioned an all-encompassing universe, the final product struggled to bind its vast web of mechanics into a singular experience. Kuhlmann noted that a second attempt could have refined those ideas into the cohesive project Howard originally intended, making the lack of a sequel unfortunate for the studio’s long-term design goals.
A primary issue with the original release was how its underlying systems functioned alongside one another. Kuhlmann highlighted the outpost mechanics as a clear example of feature disconnect. While player-built settlements offered high mechanical depth and allowed freedom across hundreds of celestial bodies, they lacked meaningful integration into the core narrative or world-building. Unlike previous titles such as Fallout 4, where base construction served a narrative purpose, Starfield left the system largely isolated from major questlines and companion interactions.
Despite the low probability of a sequel, Bethesda continues to support the original release through ongoing updates and downloadable expansions. The studio recently improved performance and core gameplay elements through substantial updates, though future production schedules remain tied to internal resource shifts and publisher priorities. As development resources shift toward The Elder Scrolls 6, the dream of a fully realized, integrated version of Howard’s space simulator remains tied strictly to the existing game.
