On September 6, 2023, Bethesda Game Studios launched Starfield, its first new game franchise in 25 years. The game was available immediately on Xbox Game Pass, a subscription service that grants access to a large library of games. Microsoft, which acquired Bethesda in 2020, hoped Starfield would be a major boost for its gaming catalog. At launch, Bethesda described Starfield as a massive "sandbox" game, featuring a vast galaxy with over 1,000 planets to explore. However, nearly three years after its release, questions about a sequel have been raised, and the answer may not be positive. Kurt Kuhlmann, a former lead systems designer for Starfield who left Bethesda after the game's release, has expressed skepticism about the possibility of a sequel. In an interview with FRVR on September 24, he said he would be "very surprised" if a Starfield 2 was ever made. Kuhlmann believes the game has not achieved "near or far" enough success to justify a follow-up. While Starfield has impressive numbers—over 15 million players, one million concurrent players at launch, and generally positive reviews—Kuhlmann argues these figures are not enough to ensure a sequel. This view is especially relevant now, as Xbox has undergone significant restructuring and is focusing on its most profitable franchises. For Bethesda Game Studios, The Elder Scrolls 6 remains the top priority, leaving little room for Starfield 2. Additionally, since September 2023, Bethesda has also taken control of Obsidian Entertainment, the studio behind Fallout: New Vegas, which is currently working on a new Fallout game. With these major projects in progress, Starfield does not appear to be a current priority for the studio. Kuhlmann also reflected on Starfield's original vision, as imagined by Todd Howard, the game's director. According to Kuhlmann, the game was meant to be an "ultimate game" with complete freedom—players could travel between planets, land anywhere, and build bases on any world. However, he notes that some features, like the ability to build outposts, are not fully integrated into the game's story or systems. These outposts, while functional as standalone features, remain on the periphery of the game's main narrative. Kuhlmann explains that this was not his decision and that developing these systems was a significant challenge. Despite the uncertainty about a sequel, Bethesda has not completely moved on from Starfield. On April 7, the studio released a free update called Free Lanes, which improved space travel mechanics, and also launched a paid expansion called Terran Armada, as well as a version of the game for PlayStation 5. These updates suggest that while a sequel may not be in the works, the game is still receiving support and refinements.