Starfield is the game of the moment, much like Skyrim was 12 years ago. With the release of this epic space adventure, Bethesda aimed to bring Xbox back into the console competition, which Phil Spencer acknowledged losing during the previous generation. It was a risky move, and amid a particularly tense climate, the launch of Microsoft’s flagship title was not without controversy. There were controversial reviews, discussions about the Starfield game engine, and concerns about its optimization on PC, which led Todd Howard to offer a provocative piece of advice on the matter. Now, controversy continues because the game still lacks official mod support.
A highly anticipated tool for players
One of the promises Bethesda made in anticipation of the release of Starfield was that there would be mod support, both on PC and Xbox Series. In fact, the demand for the game was so strong that many modders paid for early access to the game, and the first modifications to the software arrived before the official launch (some of them were quite specific, like the Hello Kitty weapon skins). Besides, it’s shaping up to be one of the most successful releases of the year in terms of both digital and physical sales, which has left modders distressed by this decision. But why was this decision made?
Bethesda has not clarified why they chose to wait for mod support, but it makes sense when carefully considered: until an early stage of bug fixing is completed to prevent the game from breaking, mod support cannot be offered. Mods that substantially alter the game might cease to function. It may seem like a difficult reality to reconcile, but that’s how it is.
However, for any player looking to enhance their adventure in a more epic, bizarre, or curious way through mods, there is the option to turn to various unofficial mods. These work perfectly with the current configuration of Starfield, and many modders are committed to keeping their software up to date.
