Bethesda Softworks is known for taking its time. Whether it's The Elder Scrolls or Fallout, Bethesda adheres to a strict "It's Done When It's Done" policy. That's why fans understand that news regarding Bethesda's next game, Starfield, may be a ways off. Bethesda will share more as it's able. To the surprise of many, however, some leaked info may have gotten ahead of Bethesda. And that info suggests that Starfield may not be as far off as Bethesda's quietness may otherwise suggest.
The source of the leak is ResetEra user and oft-sourced insider NateDrake. Drake's sources aren't public, but their insider status has been confirmed by ResetEra and the hints and leaks they share are consistently reliable. In their latest offering, NateDrake says that Starfield could be tentatively planned for release in 2021. Though they say that's only what they heard several months ago and that plans may have changed, perhaps as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
NateDrake then follows up his comment, encouraging even more caution with regards to any release date assumptions. They say that all they heard was that 2021 was a goal for Bethesda as of late 2020, but as everyone should know by now Bethesda can and will delay their games as necessary. They don't outright say a delay is likely, but do acknowledge the possibility. Anxious fans should be hopeful for 2021, but understanding if it slips.
There are plenty of additional factors to take into account, as well. For one, ZeniMax Media and Bethesda are currently being acquired by Microsoft. How Bethesda joining the Xbox team will impact game development is unquantifiable. Microsoft could decide to push Starfield for a quicker release, aiming for an announcement during its event mid-March. Or Microsoft could push for a delay so Bethesda could make larger adjustments to the game, aligning better with Microsoft's current release schedule. There's a lot to consider.
Little is currently known about Starfield other than that it has been in development for some time. Bethesda's Todd Howard even admits its been an idea at the company going back to 2004. Genuine development, however, only started as some teams finished work on Fallout 4 and moved onto what came after. That means Starfield has had plenty of time for development. It's just a matter of Bethesda wrapping things up.
Lastly, while NateDrake has been reliable in the past, Bethesda fans should definitely still maintain a healthy amount of skepticism. Sometimes even reliable insiders get inaccurate information. Bethesda fans will just have to wait and see what the plans for Starfield end up being.
Starfield is currently in development.
Source: ResetEra