Bethesda’s ambitious space RPG Starfield may finally be making its way to PlayStation 5—but not anytime soon.
According to a new report from MP1st, Microsoft and Bethesda are planning a Starfield PS5 port for Spring 2026. If true, this coincides with the release of the game’s second major expansion.
What is the reason behind Bethesda’s Delay?
Originally, there were expectations that Starfield could arrive on PS5 in 2025. However, sources claim that the timeline was pushed back due to disappointing sales of its first expansion, Shattered Space.
Released in September 2024, Shattered Space received a cold reception. In the past, many players criticized its lack of substantial space-based content despite its name.
Adding to this, reviews on Steam were largely negative. The expansion failed to attract the player base as Bethesda had hoped.
Some users found that Starfield was completely bland and honestly not creative, it played it way too safe and the amount of loading screens you have to slog through really killed the feeling of exploration.
One user noted that “it felt horrible when I launched it first, the frames were horrible and slow. I’ve never felt such a massive disappointment, and I was so incredibly hyped and excited to play it. Worst birthday money I have ever spent.”
This setback has reportedly led Microsoft to rethink its strategy. Instead of rushing the PS5 version, the company is now aligning its release with Expansion 2, along with additional quality-of-life updates. This will ensure a stronger launch.
No Shadow Drop – Bethesda Playing the Long Game
Unlike The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, which surprised fans with an unannounced release, Bethesda isn’t expected to shadow-drop Starfield on PS5.
The studio will likely reveal its plans well in advance, though don’t expect an announcement at Gamescom 2025.
This measured approach suggests Microsoft is being cautious with Starfield’s multiplatform transition.
Since acquiring Bethesda, Xbox has shifted toward releasing some first-party titles on rival consoles, and Starfield has long been rumored as a candidate.
A 2026 release would give Bethesda time to optimize the game further, addressing some of the criticisms that have lingered since its 2023 debut.
A Rocky Road for Starfield
Starfield launched as Bethesda’s first new IP in 25 years, attracting 15 million players. But it never quite reached the same acclaim as The Elder Scrolls or Fallout.
While the game had its defenders, many found its vast universe lacking depth, and Shattered Space did little to change that perception.
In a recent interview, Bethesda’s Todd Howard acknowledged the challenges, stating that the team was committed to supporting Starfield with annual expansions for “hopefully a very long time.”
However, the lack of communication since Shattered Space has frustrated fans, especially after the game was notably absent from Xbox’s June 2025 showcase.
Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, admitted that the team had debated the pacing of Starfield’s updates, questioning whether features like the long-awaited rovers (“buggies”) should have been held back for expansions rather than released as standalone updates.
Bethesda recently broke its silence, promising more details on Starfield’s future in the coming months. Whether this means new gameplay features, story content, or just a clearer roadmap remains to be seen.
For now, PS5 players will have to wait until at least Spring 2026 to explore the cosmos—assuming the rumors hold true. And for Xbox and PC players, the hope is that Expansion 2 delivers the kind of meaningful additions that Shattered Space failed to provide.
Bethesda still has a lot to prove with Starfield. The next two years will be critical in determining whether this universe has staying power or if it’s destined to drift into obscurity.
Also Read: STAN Secures $8.5M to Build India’s Answer to Discord
