In a groundbreaking achievement, Starfield has soared to new heights, surpassing previous Bethesda games such as Skyrim and Fallout, with a staggering six million players. Bethesda proudly announced on Twitter that Starfield had become the “biggest Bethesda game launch of all time,” revealing the overwhelming success of their space game since its full release on September 6th. It’s worth noting that this includes players who purchased the game and those who accessed it through their Game Pass subscription.
Unfortunately, Bethesda has not divulged the exact split between PC and Xbox players or the ratio of game purchases to Game Pass plays. However, Xbox chief Phil Spencer tweeted his excitement on September 7th, stating that Starfield had already reached one million concurrent players across all platforms, namely PC and Xbox Series X/S. On the PC platform, SteamDB reported a peak of over 269,000 players on release day. This number has remained consistent since, with a 24-hour peak reaching approximately 258,000.
Starfield signifies a significant milestone for Bethesda as it marks their first new intellectual property (IP) in over two decades. Historically, the studio’s focus has revolved around their highly popular Elder Scrolls games and the Fallout series, which have garnered both acclaim and financial success. However, with Starfield, Bethesda has ventured into uncharted territory, offering a refreshing, space-themed role-playing game (RPG) experience.
Despite the record-breaking launch, Starfield has received mixed reception from players and critics alike. Many laud the game’s impressive space RPG elements, showcasing the studio’s attention to detail and intricate world-building. However, some fans of Bethesda’s previous titles have remarked that Starfield lacks the distinctive Bethesda charm that defined their earlier works.
In our own review of Starfield, our writer, Alice, praised the game as a “genuinely impressive space RPG.” She commended Bethesda’s efforts to create a vast galaxy filled with wonders, but noted that the game’s enormity sometimes detracts from the unique charm that characterized their previous releases. Nevertheless, the allure of exploring uncharted celestial realms has not deterred millions of players from diving headfirst into Starfield’s cosmic adventure.
It is worth mentioning that Starfield is Bethesda’s first major launch since being acquired by Microsoft in 2021 as part of the ZeniMax Media buyout. Microsoft’s backing undoubtedly played a significant role in the game’s success, further solidifying Bethesda’s position in the gaming industry.
With such an impressive launch, it’s safe to say that Starfield has firmly planted itself as a major player in the gaming landscape. Bethesda can look ahead to a potentially bright future for the new IP, as players continue to explore the reaches of the galaxy they have meticulously crafted. The studio will likely receive valuable feedback from the community, allowing them to refine and enhance the Starfield experience through updates and expansions.
Starfield has proven to be a phenomenal achievement for Bethesda, breaking records and surpassing expectations. Its release signifies the studio’s willingness to explore new horizons and expand beyond their established franchises. While the game may have its share of criticisms, its vast and immersive world has captivated millions of players, promising exciting adventures in the depths of space for years to come.
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