Starfield's Second Chance: A New DLC, and a PS5 Launch on the Horizon

It might finally be happening. Ever since Starfield's release, fans have been hoping for that one big update, something on the level of what Cyberpunk 2077 pulled off. For years, that dream was just a dream, never a reality. Bethesda released smaller updates and quality-of-life tweaks, but nothing came close to the fixes and patches we wanted and deserved. 

Now, for the first time, there are signs that Starfield could be making a comeback. Bethesda has been teasing us, and recent leaks are backing up the idea that a massive wave of content is on the way. 2026 might be the year Starfield finally gets its second chance. It's a move that would mirror CDPR's comeback with Cyberpunk 2077—a major patch, then a massive expansion. 

And with the PS5 version now reportedly tied directly to this content rollout, Bethesda is looking to wipe the floor clean. 2025 is already shaping up to be a relatively quiet year for Starfield. Outside of mods, not much is happening. Since last year's Shattered Space expansion, the game has only received a handful of updates. 

The most notable drop was a fan-made Creation called Watchtower, which cost about ten bucks and delivered DLC-sized content crafted by the community. For Bethesda, mum was the word. We might know why; it's because they were working on this all-new update.

The first real sign of that came back in August when it was reported that Starfield was coming to PS5. 

Starfield has been locked down to Xbox and PC, so that was surprising. The report suggested the PS5 launch was originally meant to arrive alongside Shattered Space in 2024, but got delayed. The PS5 version will now be released in spring 2026, coinciding with the launch of Starfield's second expansion. That would mean Bethesda is lining up a relaunch with a new DLC, a next-gen update, and a PS5 launch.

This leak can be trusted because the insider was also right about the Oblivion remaster. In a recent developer spotlight, Tim Lamb, Starfield's lead creative producer, dropped some major hints. He confirmed that a new story DLC is in development but also teased free updates that will overhaul core gameplay systems, especially space travel. It's great news because spaceflight is a major department that needs work. 

Datamines in the past uncovered references to something called "Cruise Travel," which sounded like a new way to move between planets without the constant loading screens. Instead of simply fast-traveling through menus, you would be able to pilot your ships at much higher speeds.

It wouldn't eliminate orbital sequences entirely, but it would at least make the galaxy feel more connected. Bethesda also hinted at new random encounters in space, meaning you could run into pirates or unexpected events mid-flight. 

Just imagine being able to walk around your ship during a short cruise, maybe letting Vasco take the wheel while you craft items or explore. Then suddenly you're under attack, forcing you to fight for your life. That kind of gameplay could be exactly what Starfield needs to make its universe feel alive. 

Fans have also been asking for more handcrafted content and better points of interest, something Bethesda has acknowledged. 

The rover added last year helped traversal, but most locations still feel… (yawns) boring. A real overhaul of planetary points of interest could address another of the game's biggest complaints. Bethesda aims for this kind of revamp to turn Starfield into a late-bloomer success story. 

The second expansion has already been teased. Fans spotted a hidden message in Bethesda's anniversary post pointing to something called "Terran Armada." "Terran" translates to "Earth," while "Armada" obviously means a fleet. Since Earth in Starfield's lore has been destroyed, it makes you wonder if this expansion will tie back to humanity's lost homeworld. Or maybe it's about a new catastrophe linked to a colony once tied to Earth. 

Whatever the case, the hints suggest new handcrafted systems, new factions, and a more story-ish game. That would be welcome news after Shattered Space struggled to make an impression. Todd Howard even admitted last year that Bethesda was already planning the second DLC well before Shattered Space released. Maybe they'll benefit from the extra time they took for this DLC.

2026 appears to be the true turning point for Starfield. 

But until 2026, mods are your best friend, and one mod in particular has been stealing the spotlight. Star Wars Genesis is a massive overhaul that transforms Starfield into a full-blown Star Wars RPG. It adds new races and even an alternate start system, letting you begin as a bounty hunter on Geonosis. 

The overhaul goes even further, adding handcrafted Star Wars locations like Hoth and enemies like stormtroopers and clone remnants. Combat has been rebalanced, and the AI is smarter. You can raid Hutt outposts, storm abandoned cloning labs, and build your own Star Wars. It's giving you a reason to jump back in while Bethesda works quietly in the background. 

It's almost poetic. In 2025, the year Bethesda has all but gone dark on official updates, modders have breathed new life into Starfield. Fans are calling Star Wars Genesis the "Han Solo simulator" they always wanted, and it's the best way to play the game right now. 

Starfield is in a strange spot. 

On the one hand, it feels stagnant, and Bethesda seems content to wait until 2026 before taking a chance. On the other hand, the future suddenly feels brighter. With a PS5 launch, a new expansion, and a big patch, Starfield, the sky is the limit for you. 

Cyberpunk 2077 managed to pull it off, but only after a lot of commitment from CDPR to reshape the game. Bethesda has a similar opportunity but also similar risks. Starfield may never escape the shadow of its disappointing start if 2026 goes wrong. Everyone gets second chances in life, and we'd be more than happy to give Starfield another; after all, you can never say no to improvement. For now, 2025 belongs to the Starfield modders.