With just a few days left until the official launch of the highly anticipated Starfield and the community is very excited about the newest space RPG developed by Bethesda Game Studios.
Of course, Starfield only got here thanks to the incredible work done by Todd Howard, who recently issued an extensive statement on Starfield while also thanking Microsoft, Xbox, Phil Spencer and all of Bethesda.
I knocked on Robert Altman's door. “Got a few minutes?”
“Sure.”It was early 2013, we were developing Fallout 4, and Skyrim was still enjoying massive success. I was there to introduce him to our next game. It wouldn't be a sequel to our current games (he looked worried), but a big space RPG and our first new intellectual property in over 25 years (sounds curious). It would explore creation and the search for our place in the universe (a slight twinkle in the eye). You would explore the galaxy in ways only video games can offer. And it would be called – Starfield. (Smile)
“Sounds fantastic.”
Robert would be the first to believe in us, no matter the situation. Our road to creating Starfield would be long and winding, where we would make other games along the way (Fallout 4, Skyrim SE, Fallout Shelter, Skyrim VR, Fallout 76, Skyrim again…). The major development from 2020 to 2023 brought huge changes in our lives. A global pandemic, Robert's passing, and becoming part of Xbox.
It's amazing to be in the moment when Starfield finally launches this week. He only exists because everyone else also believed. We've been supported for decades by everyone at ZeniMax, all doing the best work yet. Special thanks to our publishing teams who sought to create not just another release, but something that will capture minds and inspire players everywhere. And to our QA partners, who had the difficult task of testing a game where anything can (and will) happen. And thank you to Jamie Leder and our administrative and human resources teams, who supported us all through the most challenging years any of us have ever faced.
And, of course, there's Phil Spencer. His support for every game and every player has been constant and fervent. Joining Xbox brought us closer to so many we've worked with for over 20 years. I can't imagine a better place to create games, where the diversity of studios, creators and games is allowed to flourish. That support came from the entire Xbox leadership team and all areas of publishing and development support. Special thanks to the magicians at ATG, whose spells and enchantments helped make this our best performing game.
Most important is the team I work with at Bethesda Game Studios. It's an incredible blessing to be surrounded by so many talented and inspiring people every day. Moments like this make us reflect. Some of us have been together for decades, others have joined more recently, but we all have the same passion. I couldn't be prouder of your continued dedication to creating something truly special.
Finally, a huge thank you to all of you in the Xbox and Bethesda family. Your enthusiasm and encouragement meant the world to us. Creating this game has been one of the most challenging and exciting experiences of our careers – a journey we will never forget. And as we come to the end of this chapter, we hand it over to you. You are each getting the game in Early Access and will be able to start playing this Friday, September 1st, but since it's a global time slot, you'll actually be able to play on Thursday night (Thanks New Zealand!).
We hope you have the opportunity to play and that your journey is as rewarding as ours.
Todd Howard
Starfield will be released on PC and Xbox consoles on September 6, 2023. The game also arrives day-one via Xbox Game Passa>.