Following a three-year wait for official information, Bethesda might finally be showing off its upcoming title. Starfield, the next game from Bethesda Softworks, was announced at the company's E3 showcase in 2018. Now, industry insiders are suggesting that the wait for Starfield release date news is almost over.

Starfield is a shoe-in appearance at this year's Xbox-Bethesda showcase, and while there has been discussion on the game's content and story, any mention of a release date has been conspicuously absent. However, industry insider Jason Schreier has slated Starfield to finally see a release date at the upcoming Xbox-Bethesda E3 showcase. While no specific date was given, it's suggested that Starfield will arrive in late 2022.

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With the start of E3 just around the corner, fans won't have to wait long for the announcement- but they may be left waiting for the game itself. Starfield has been slated for a 2022 release date for a while now, though with delays introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic, it's possible that the date has been pushed back further in the year compared to prior expectations. The Xbox-Bethesda showcase also occurs near the end of the convention's events, which is certain to leave fans on edge for a few days longer.

Bethesda Starfield

Since Microsoft acquired ZeniMax Media, Bethesda's parent company, rumors have been abound that Starfield is going to be an Xbox-exclusive title. Such a move would strengthen Microsoft's current position in the current generation console war, which, as part of a trend continuing since the console's launch, Xbox has been losing against Sony's PlayStation 5. Microsoft paid a hefty $7.5 billion for the deal- netting it the rights to legendary franchises like Doom, Fallout, and perhaps biggest of all, The Elder Scrolls.

Microsoft doesn't seem keen on slowing down its acquisitions. It has been suggested that Xbox will be gaining another big-name developer to cater exclusively to the console, further strengthening its base in its fightback against Sony's seemingly runaway lead. If Starfield draws the eyes of viewers, Xbox might see a spike in users as the title comes to fruition. It's notable, however, that many Xbox exclusive titles also head to PC- supporting Microsoft's Windows OS, as well as its growing PC Xbox Game Pass repertoire.

Starfield is Bethesda's first new IP in 25 years, which, when considering the company's 34 year lifespan, is a fairly major statement. While Bethesda's publishing wing has produced beloved titles like Dishonored and Doom Eternal, the last offering by the company was the divisive Fallout 76, which was a disappointment to many at launch. Starfield is a vital opportunity for Bethesda to regain some customer trust with a polished product, especially with the long-awaited, looming giant of The Elder Scrolls 6 in the distance.

Starfield is in development for unspecified platforms.

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Source: Triple Click