Bethesda Rolls Out Substantial Starfield Patch for Steam Beta Testing

Bethesda’s Upcoming Starfield Update on Steam Beta

Bethesda has announced that the “biggest Starfield update yet” is on its way to Steam beta testing next week. This update is set to introduce more than 100 fixes and improvements across various aspects of the game. Players can expect enhancements to graphics, gameplay, and quest-related bugs. Notably, the patch will address issues with quests such as “Eye of the Storm” problems, including docking difficulties with the Legacy and data transfer initiation, as well as missing Temples in “Into the Unknown”. These fixes aim to ensure that players can continue their exploration of the cosmos without interruption.

This update contains a multitude of fixes to Quests. Eye of the Storm issues such as being unable to dock with the Legacy or data transfer not starting, and Temples not showing up in Into the Unknown, will no longer prevent Constellation from exploring the cosmos.

— Bethesda Game Studios @BethesdaStudios (@BethesdaStudios) January 12, 2024

Additionally, the update will tackle stability improvements and a variety of graphic enhancements, including better widescreen support and upgrades to textures, lighting, and shadows. Other technical issues such as sun disk geometry, planet ring shadows, reappearing bulldozed objects, inaccessible ship hatches, and persistent asteroids will also be resolved.

Other fixes and improvements include sun disk geometry, planet ring shadows, bulldozed objects reappearing when returning to an Outpost, ship hatches marked inaccessible, and another fix for asteroids following ships. The full update notes will be posted next week when the Steam… pic.twitter.com/Kwqk8olw4r

— Bethesda Game Studios @BethesdaStudios (@BethesdaStudios) January 12, 2024

The full details of the patch will be disclosed next week, and while this update may not include the major gameplay changes promised in December 2023, it is a step towards improving the overall Starfield experience.

Visual Improvements

The upcoming Steam beta update for Starfield is set to bring a host of visual enhancements that promise to elevate the gaming experience. These improvements include **additional widescreen support**, **improved textures**, and more realistic **lighting and shadows**. The visual fidelity of the game’s extraterrestrial environments is expected to be significantly enhanced, making the cosmic vistas even more engaging for players.

A before-and-after picture has been shared to showcase some of the visual improvements, and the difference is noticeable. The updated graphics provide a more immersive and visually appealing experience, with the enhanced details contributing to the overall realism of the game’s expansive universe.

These visual upgrades are part of Bethesda’s ongoing efforts to refine Starfield, ensuring that both the aesthetic and functional aspects of the game continue to meet and exceed player expectations.

Community Reactions

The community’s response to the announcement of the upcoming Starfield update has been a mix of positive feedback and some disappointment. While there is an appreciation for the ongoing work and the fixes being introduced, some fans have expressed their eagerness for more substantial changes to the game’s gameplay.

Among the specific issues raised by the community are:

• Lack of major gameplay updates, such as new survival mechanics
• Desire for “all new ways of travelling” that were previously teased
• Requests for more content on planets, including exploration, aliens, plants, crafting, base building, and flying improvements
• Anticipation for the addition of city maps

One Twitter user voiced their constructive criticism, hoping for more significant updates rather than just graphical enhancements:

I was hoping this would be the big update with all of the difficulty settings…not shadow and lightning graphic upgrades. Who’s asking for that stuff? I love the game and still play it daily, but come on man. – Ping when city maps will be added – I saying this as constructive criticism. Unless there is more to do on planets such as exploration, aliens and plants, crafting, base building, and flying improvements, I am probably going to keep passing on redownloading this.

— A Disappointed Gamer @DisappointedGamer (@DisappointedGamer) January 12, 2024

Despite the mixed reactions, the community remains engaged and hopeful that Bethesda will continue to deliver on their promises for Starfield’s future development.

Accessing the Steam Beta Update for Starfield

For players eager to experience the latest improvements to Starfield, the update will be available on the Steam beta branch starting January 17. To access the beta, players will need to opt in through their Steam client. While Bethesda has not provided explicit details on the process, it is likely to be similar to previous beta updates for the game.

In the past, such as with the official DLSS support update, opting into the beta required downloading a separate build of the game. Progress made in the beta was not transferable to the live game, meaning that players could continue their existing game in the beta but would need to revert to the live build to retain their progress.

Players interested in trying out the beta update should keep an eye on official announcements for specific instructions on how to opt in and download the beta build. Bethesda’s commitment to refining Starfield is evident, and participating in the beta can provide valuable feedback to help shape the game’s future.

Additional Resources

These resources provide valuable information for both new and experienced players looking to enhance their Starfield experience. From detailed guides to customization options through mods, the links above serve as a gateway to a wealth of knowledge and tools for the game.