Starfield gained just 2 million ‘players’ in the past 18 months

I’m not sure what’s more surprising: that Starfield only gained 2 million players in 18 months or that Bethesda is already talking about Fallout 5. If you're still invested in space exploration, this news might feel like a spacewalk gone wrong.

Starfield launched with a bang, bringing in over 10 million players in just its first month. Fast forward to now, and the total player count has barely nudged to 17 million. That’s a mere 2 million increase since late 2024. To me, that signals a serious decline in interest for a title that was supposed to redefine RPGs.

“Starfield remains an important part of our future.”

But let’s break this down. Bethesda noted that Starfield players have logged nearly a billion hours. Still, the fact that it was a day-one Game Pass title means those numbers might not reflect actual sales. What about those copies sold? Are they even close to the 17 million players touted? I think not.

For context, Skyrim, a game over a decade old, has sold over 65 million copies and continues to engage players. Fallout 4 just celebrated its 10-year anniversary and hit over 35 million copies sold. Starfield? It’s likely not even in the same league.

As Bethesda shifts focus to the Fallout franchise, one has to wonder what that means for Starfield's future. Despite its initial hype, the game seems to be lacking the longevity of its predecessors. The excitement for a new IP quickly fizzled out, and it’s clear that players are more drawn to the nostalgia and familiar mechanics of Fallout and Elder Scrolls.

In hindsight, maybe Bethesda should’ve put more resources into expanding Starfield instead of teasing the next Fallout. I think they’re banking on nostalgia to carry them through, but that’s a risky bet. The gaming community has a short memory, especially when it comes to new experiences that don’t quite deliver.

So, what’s the verdict? Starfield had potential, but it seems to be fading faster than a shooting star. With Fallout 5 and remasters on the horizon, I wouldn’t be surprised if Starfield gets pushed to the back burner. At the end of the day, players want experiences that last, and right now, Starfield isn’t hitting the mark.