About Starfield
Starfield, developed by Bethesda, launched on September 6, 2023. This action RPG and shooter is available on PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC. The game has seen a resurgence in interest following its release on PlayStation 5.
Quick Facts — Starfield
| Developer | Bethesda |
|---|---|
| Platform(s) | PS5, Xbox Series X, PC |
| Release Date | 6th September 2023 |
| Genre | Action RPG, Shooter |
Sales Performance and Updates
During the PS5 launch week, Starfield topped the US sales chart, marking its first time leading the weekly best-selling titles since the week ending September 2, 2023, according to US games-market analyst Mat Piscatella. The game sold 140,000 copies on PlayStation 5 in its first week, a figure described as "lukewarm" by Alinea Analytics analyst Rhys Elliott. This sales performance is juxtaposed against its 3.7 million copies sold on Steam and 1 million sold on Xbox, highlighting a disparity in reception.
Years of updates have bolstered the PS5 version, including the Free Lanes and Terran Armada updates. However, the game faced significant issues upon release, with players reporting bugs and glitches that rendered it unplayable, leading some to seek refunds. Bethesda has since deployed various hotfixes to address these problems.
Critiques and Future Outlook
Despite topping the charts, Starfield faced criticism for its design and exploration mechanics. Chris from Eurogamer noted that while the game offers near-impossible breadth, it sacrifices direct exploration, resulting in a lack of cohesion. The game’s rocky launch has raised questions about its long-term viability.