2023 is Bethesda Softworks' year for Redfall and Starfield, with a secretive mobile game in the works as well as Ghostwire: Tokyo coming to Xbox. And all of that is just the tip of the iceberg. With so much already planned to soon release, a lot of fans couldn’t be more excited for updates on any and all of Bethesda’s projects.One of the major projects for 2023, Starfield is increasingly closer to release with a lot of information still waiting to be revealed. Starfield has been in development for over 7 years with very few revealed so far. An upcoming Xbox showcase is expected to show off more information about several of Bethesda’s upcoming projects as their releases grow closer.
Starfield News, Release in 2023
Aaron Greenberg hinted on Twitter that an Xbox showcase is happening soon, likely in Q1 of 2023. The post was a retweet of Xbox Game Pass’ Game Awards compilation of existing and upcoming games, notably featuring Starfield, which is overdue on more information before the game’s upcoming release.
So far, Starfield’s announcement and gameplay reveal at the 2022 Xbox Bethesda Showcase has been the main source of information, with a short developer interview in the meantime. Fans have gotten to see brief gunplay, examples of the dialogue system, and character creation, although the concrete details of the game’s other major features have yet to be explained. Fans can expect this information in the coming months, as marketing is likely to pick up whenever a release date is confirmed. As the collective gaming community seemingly becomes more hesitant to prepurchasing into hype after recent disappointments, the need for more Starfield information couldn’t be higher.
Starfield Post-launch Support and DLC in 2023
Starfield’s biggest potential feature is in the game’s mod integration. With mods eventually coming as a central feature to past Bethesda titles like Fallout 4 and Skyrim, the concept is looking very promising for both PC and console platforms. In fact, modders are already working on patches for Starfield by addressing bugs common to Bethesda’s RPGs.
Based on Skyrim, Fallout, and other Bethesda games, it stands to reason there will be DLC beyond its initial release. With Starfield’s list of planetary destinations seemingly as complete as it can get, the possibility of DLC could draw upon different areas than adding new destinations to explore. One possibility for DLC could be similar to the Creation Club from Fallout 4 and Skyrim, which was a subscription that included popular community and developer mods into the main game over time. With Starfield having building mechanics for players to create bases and ships in the game, perhaps a Fallout Worlds style of DLC from Fallout 76 could bring customizable and comical modifiers to the building mechanics and other unique effects to gameplay.
Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and Other Bethesda Games
While Fallout 5 was confirmed as a future release, it was said to come after Elder Scrolls 6, which will come after Starfield, so any news regarding the Fallout and Elder Scrolls sequels are unlikely for 2023. The current schedule of game releases in 2023 is Redfall, and Starfield, specifically in that order. With a Redfall delay rumor circulating, this could put every Bethesda Game Studios’ release farther out than expected.
Outside their main series titles, Todd Howard revealed a mobile game is in development by Bethesda, though even less information on this project exists than on Elder Scrolls 6. Meanwhile, in 2023, Elder Scrolls Online will receive new content updates that deviate from the previous content model that spread its expansions out throughout the year with time gates. The new expansions will be available in full upon release. Bethesda’s other live service game, Fallout 76, will be entering its second year of a 5-year plan with a new seasonal Scoreboard in March among other content not yet revealed. The mobile game is obviously harder to predict, but fans can expect the MMOs to continue on as they have, more or less.
Redfall Leads the Charge for Bethesda in 2023
As mentioned, Redfall will be the first of all upcoming games released, preceding Starfield and all the others. Redfall was initially announced in 2021 at Bethesda and Xbox’s E3 presentation and is developed by Bethesda's Arkane Studios. The game wears its Dishonored and Deathloop inspirations on its sleeve, with visual and mechanical similarities, although it replaces stealth with team-shooting tactics. Even without an emphasis on stealth, Redfall seems to be horror-oriented, even more than any of Arkane’s past games, including Prey.
Ghostwire: Tokyo Lands on Xbox in 2023
Tango Gameworks’ Ghostwire: Tokyo was first released as a PlayStation exclusive before Microsoft acquired Bethesda, though the exclusivity deal is expected to end 1 year after the game’s release date. Originally, the reveal for Tokyo: Ghostwire coming to Xbox came from art spotted at Bethesda’s publishing headquarters, though Deathloop coming to Xbox in the meantime further confirms this. With the exclusivity deal ending in March coinciding with the rumored Xbox showcase in Q1 of 2023, Ghostwire: Tokyo will likely make an appearance there.
Other Bethesda Studios Are Hard at Work Too
Beyond Arkane and BGS’ mentioned upcoming games, other Bethesda studios are currently developing projects, though some will likely need more time beyond 2023.
ZeniMax Online Studios is currently working on a new AAA IP, along with a new engine to support the project.
Tango Gameworks is still committed to updating and adding to Ghostwire: Tokyo.
id Software hasn’t mentioned anything in the works lately, but Quakecon later in August could change that.
MachineGames’ Indiana Jones game is long overdue for more information since its reveal was teased in 2021, with no other follow-ups since.
Starfield releases in 2023 for PC and Xbox Series X/S.