A recent in-depth interview conducted by popular YouTuber MrMattyPlays featured a conversation with Todd Howard from Bethesda, shedding light on various aspects of the highly anticipated game, Starfield.

During the interview, Howard disclosed an impressive update regarding the game’s player base. From the last update in December 2023 reporting 13 million players, Starfield has now surpassed the 14 million mark.

The player base for Starfield has now reached a staggering 14 million, with an average playtime exceeding 40 hours per player, showcasing the immense dedication of the community to the game.

Discussion then moved towards the upcoming expansion, Shattered Space, set to debut later this year. Howard described it as an ‘annual narrative expansion’ equivalent in scale to the memorable Fallout 4 DLC, Far Harbor, offering around 15 hours of gameplay for main and side quests. The expansion primarily unfolds on a single planet, enabling players to delve deep into the hallmark exploration experience that Bethesda titles are known for.

Our vision for Shattered Space was to immerse players in a rich, detailed world centered around a single planet, akin to the design philosophy of Far Harbor in Fallout 4. This format aligns perfectly with our approach to creating yearly narrative expansions, providing a unique and captivating gameplay experience within the expansive universe of Starfield.

Howard addressed the decision to focus Shattered Space on a solitary planet, emphasizing that it was a strategic design choice rather than a direct response to community feedback on exploration within the sci-fi RPG.

During the development of Starfield, we grappled with the challenge of crafting engaging exploration on vast, desolate planets. The concept of Shattered Space emerged as a deliberate creative direction, offering a distinct thematic landscape for players to explore. This approach, deeply intertwined with the essence of Starfield, reflects our commitment to delivering a fresh and immersive experience within an otherworldly setting.

Howard hinted at the continuation of annual story expansions for Starfield beyond Shattered Space, illustrating the studio’s long-term plans to enrich the game’s universe with compelling narratives.

Our intention is to continue expanding the Starfield universe through annual story updates, with a clear roadmap for future expansions. The journey does not end with Shattered Space; there are exciting new chapters awaiting exploration in the vast expanse of Starfield.

Are you eagerly anticipating the adventures that await in Shattered Space and beyond? Share your thoughts in the comments.