Todd Howard offers theory on addressing Starfield: Shattered Space Criticism

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Important takeaways

  • Bethesda's Todd Howard wonders if the studio should have delayed Starfield's REV-8 wagon for the Shattered Space expansion.
  • The long-awaited REV-8 release improved planetary exploration.



Xbox boss Phil Spencer has revealed that Bethesda's Todd Howard is wondering if the release is being held back Starfield's REV-8 buggy for fragmented space expansion could have been the right choice. REV-8 gave Starfield players a new way to traverse the surface of planets and, for a long time after launch, was probably the most requested feature of the game.

After almost a year of waiting, Bethesda released REV-8 for Starfield in August 2024. It was a big step for the studio, which had never before released a game on the Creation engine with player-controlled vehicles. It's an impressive feat that greatly improves planetary exploration, with many wondering why it wasn't included in the base game in the first place. The release of Starfield's REV-8 arrived just a month before fragmented space launched in a free update, and it was somewhat of a surprise that the feature didn't come with the expansion.


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Xbox's Phil Spencer spoke to Game File about a recent conversation he had with Bethesda's Todd Howard. Recalls the conversation with Howard about the reception to Starfieldis recent fragmented space DLC, Spencer said, “I think part of the feedback on the expansion is, 'We wanted more features.' And he says, 'Well, should we have waited to put out strollers?'” Spencer continued, “I think du I try to adjust both development efforts and the impact of the expansion and I think there will always be a balance between managing the game month to month.


Starfield could have delayed Buggies for Shattered Space


While fragmented space expansion received a lot of criticism, much of it seems to center on how the DLC doesn't deviate enough from Starfields core game loop. It's more of the same game that many didn't love in the first place. While delaying REV-8 would undoubtedly have helped the expansion's content offering, it's unlikely to have tipped the balance in the court of public opinion. If anything, Bethesda made the right choice by making it a free update, rather than something players had to pay for.

Despite fragmented spaceBethesda's mixed response from fans has Bethesda not giving up Starfield. Earlier this month, the studio released a major update for Starfieldwhich brings lots of important fixes to the game. It remains to be seen if Bethesda plans to release any more expansions for Starfieldremains silent on the subject until further notice. The developer is also working with The Elder Scrolls 6 at the moment, so it is unclear if it will affect any decisions about Starfields future.


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