UPDATE: 2023/03/08 10:20 EST BY KYLE GRATTON
Starfield Receives New Release Date, Still Xbox Console Exclusive
Bethesda Softworks has announced via the Starfield Twitter account that the game is now set to release on September 6, 2023. As Bethesda is owned by Microsoft, Starfield is still expected to be an Xbox console exclusive, and come to Game Pass upon its launch. Screen Rant's original story, which includes the previously set, now incorrect release date of November 11, 2022, continues below.
Starfield is starting to get more details from Bethesda and one of the biggest ones is the confirmation of months of speculation. At Xbox's E3 conference, it was confirmed that Starfield is indeed an Xbox exclusive and it'll be available on Xbox Game Pass on day one when it launches in late 2022.
The Starfield trailer leaked just a half hour prior to the E3 showcase, spoiling a bit of the surprise. The trailer confirms that the game is indeed a 2022 title, but it's not coming in the spring as many had thought and hoped. Starfield will release November 11, 2022 and will be Bethesda Game Studio's first game since Fallout 76 in 2018. Whether or not this will be the return to form fans are hoping for remains to be seen, but at least it'll be easily accessible.
Although it seemed rather obvious given the acquisition, Microsoft was very clear in noting that Starfield was an Xbox and PC exclusive and as a result, it'll be on Xbox Game Pass on day one. Starfield's Xbox exclusivity has been heavily teased by insiders for a while, but now it's made official. It's unlikely this will be a timed exclusive, so if people want to play Starfield, they'll have to get an Xbox Series X/S or a PC.
Most of this was largely expected, as it wouldn't make much sense for Microsoft to spend billions of dollars acquiring a studio just to put it on another platform. Sure, it could generate some more sales of the game, but Xbox is largely focused on building out its services, player base, and more. Its ec system is not remotely small and it's likely Xbox will be able to make plenty of money off of having the game on its platforms exclusively, especially as it drives people to Xbox Game Pass.
There have been countless Starfield leaks and, although there is still a lot of mystery surrounding the game, it's great to actually get some updates on Starfield and be able to know when to expect it. Given there's a shortage of Xbox Series X consoles, the November 2022 release date should hopefully give fans enough time to prepare for Bethesda's future as an Xbox studio. Starfield will be the studio's first title that is wholly exclusive to the Xbox ecosystem, and it's likely future games in the Fallout series and The Elder Scrolls 6 will be as well.
Sources: Starfield/Twitter, Xbox