Bethesda Surprises Fans with Starfield Patch Amid Oblivion Remastered Excitement

With *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered* stealing the spotlight, Bethesda has delivered an unexpected update for *Starfield*, addressing several key areas to enhance the game’s performance and modding capabilities. Among the changes, the addition of 'Very Low' display settings aims to optimize performance for lower-end hardware, while expanded support for Creations (mods) opens the door to even more creative possibilities. Additionally, this patch brings much-needed fixes for quests, vehicles, the user interface, and the Shattered Space DLC.

Currently available in Steam beta, PC players can opt into the update. In a post on its website, Bethesda requested feedback and shared the patch notes, which detail minor improvements alongside crucial bug fixes. While this update doesn’t introduce significant new content, it marks a step forward for the game’s ongoing development.

Set in space, *Starfield* launched in September 2023 as Bethesda’s first original IP in 25 years. Despite reaching 15 million players, the game received mixed reviews compared to the beloved *Elder Scrolls* and *Fallout* series. The *Shattered Space* expansion, released in September 2024, holds a ‘mostly negative’ user rating on Steam. Amid player concerns over communication and updates, Bethesda has assured fans that it remains committed to supporting *Starfield*. Todd Howard, from Bethesda Game Studios, mentioned plans for an annual story expansion, hinting at continued development for the foreseeable future.

In March, speculation surged about *Starfield* potentially coming to PlayStation 5 after fans noticed a PlayStation logo on Bethesda’s Creations website. Although the logo was attached to a work-in-progress ship decal and later removed, players remain hopeful for broader platform availability.

Starfield Update 1.15.214 Patch Notes

Features

• Added 'Very Low' display settings to improve performance on some devices.
• Creation Kit: Allowed Creators to add new icons to the game.
• Creations Store now supports bundling Creations.
• Creation Kit: Increased upload limit for Creations to 2GB.

Bug Fixes

General

• Creations: Fixed a potential error when restoring load order with many mods.
• Creation Kit: Resolved a crash issue when loading plugins with ingredient forms.
• Addressed a control lock during forced dialogue scenes.
• Resolved rare crashes when entering the Unity or modifying buildings at the Main Outpost in Andraphon.
• Fixed issues with quicksaving and navigating menus during takeoff.
• General crash and stability improvements.

Gameplay

• Skill persistence improved after passing through the Unity.
• Weapons: Adjusted the Space-Adept legendary effect.
• Gameplay Options: Fixed cargo access and clarified status effect descriptions.
• Resolved issues with Grav jumping, missiles, and dropped item statuses.

Graphics

• Updated resolutions to include 32:9 and 32:10 formats.
• Performance: Fixed frame rate drops when using the scanner.
• Celestial bodies remain visible after entering interiors.

Quests

• Fixed rare issues in various quests, including 'All That Money Can Buy', 'Perfect Recipe', and 'Worlds Apart'.

Locations

• Persistent mannequins in the New Atlantis Penthouse.
• Resolutions for scanning flora and visible openings in labs.

UI

• Ship Builder: Resolved issues with upgrade menus and large font sizes.
• Localization fixes for Spanish, Polish, and sneak attack descriptions.

Vehicles

• Added a keyboard shortcut for the boost button (PC).
• Improved vehicle deployment and camera logic.

Shattered Space

• Outpost modules now accessible after the Unity.
• Adjusted dialogue and performance tweaks in Dazra zones.