After first being revealed in 2018, Starfield is finally slated to release in 2023, and will hopefully be the exclusive hit Xbox has been waiting for in the new console generation. Developed and published by Bethesda, Starfield looks to be a roaring space opera that picks up in the aftermath of a solar system-spanning war. As an RPG with an astounding 1,000 explorable planets to visit, the game is expected to be a sprawling epic.
If all goes to plan and Starfield is able to deliver everything it promises, the game could become the revolutionary sci-fi RPG of the decade. It would rightfully earn its reputation as one of the most anticipated games of 2023, and as a console exclusive, would be the massive hit Microsoft has been needing, especially since the ninth generation has seen a noticeable lack of exclusive titles for the new Series X/S consoles.
The Hype Around Starfield Means It Really Could Be Epic
A study shared via Game Rant released in mid-January claims that Starfield was currently the second most-Googled game, only behind Hogwarts Legacy. The study also revealed that Starfield was being searched more than upcoming powerhouses like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Even Bethesda seems to be extremely excited about the game, announcing that Starfield wouldn't be part of their Xbox showcase back in January 2023, and instead would be getting its own standalone showcase to "dedicate the proper amount of time for a deep dive into Bethesda Game Studios' Starfield."
Xbox Could Really Use a Big Hit Like Starfield Right Now
The Xbox One was a bit of a disappointment, selling far less than both the PS4 and Nintendo Switch, according to VGChartz. In fact, the console's bestselling games were all non-exclusive titles like PUBG: Battlegrounds, Call of Duty, and Grand Theft Auto. For most players, unless they were diehard fans of an Xbox exclusive like Halo or Gears, there was little reason for them to invest in the console. But with Starfield's massive map size, promising story about a galaxy recovering from war, customizable gameplay, and a giant mystery at the center of it all that payers will need to uncover, the game is primed to be a compelling adventure that could be the Series X's first killer app.
It's also reassuring that Starfield is being made by Bethesda, a well-respected legacy company known for creating epic franchises like The Elder Scrolls and the modern Fallout games. There aren't many teams out there that can deliver on everything Starfield is promising, but with Bethesda's history and experience, they're certainly one of them. Plus, Bethesda has made hit Xbox console exclusives in the past, with The Elder Scrolls: Morrowind and Oblivion - the latter a timed exclusive - both being critical and commercial hits.
Starfield's success could also be amplified by the fact that the Series X/S are selling incredibly well ahead of Xbox's biggest games coming in 2023, with VGChartz estimating the consoles have already sold over 20 million units, vastly outpacing what the Xbox One sold. On top of that, Game Pass Ultimate will make Starfield playable on last-gen consoles and PC, bolstering its potential player base and amplifying the game's chances of success. Starfield could become Xbox's biggest hit of 2023, potentially giving the console a level of success it hasn't seen since the 360 era.
Source: Game Rant, VGChartz, Bethesda Softworks/YouTube