Starfield's Second DLC Reportedly Delayed Due to GTA 6 Postponement

It's lonely out in space, especially if you're a Starfield player waiting for any word about the next major update coming to the game. Bethesda's space-based game will receive an additional story DLC, it's just a matter of when. Now, a new report suggests that the delay of Grand Theft Auto 6 played a role in Bethesda's decision to push back its next Starfield chapter.

According to Windows Central, Bethesda "felt more comfortable" about pushing Starfield's second DLC to the first half of 2026 because Microsoft already had a "busy holiday period" for 2025 without it. More intriguingly, the same report indicates that Bethesda has already been showing off the new update and DLC behind closed doors to a select group of players.

One of the rumored changes is a revamp of the game's space flight systems that will actually make travel feel like a journey instead of a series of loading screens. Other aspects of space travel and exploration are also said to be improved in the new update, and the Creation Engine will reportedly include "large technical improvements ... that will also carry forward to future games."

However, a separate report about the Starfield showcase from IGN seemingly walks back the scope of some of those changes and adds that fans shouldn't expect a "Cyberpunk 2.0-scale update." Until the embargo from the event is lifted, further details probably won't be available. This suggests that while improvements are coming, they may be more incremental than transformative.

Former Bethesda developer Bruce Nesmith recently stated that he felt Starfield fell short of Fallout and Elder Scrolls, despite liking the game himself. There are rumors that Starfield will come to PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2 in the future, but Bethesda has yet to confirm the game for either of those systems. These potential platform expansions could help the game reach a wider audience and potentially improve its long-term prospects.

The decision to delay the DLC reflects the competitive landscape of the gaming industry, where major releases can significantly impact each other's performance. By moving Starfield's content away from GTA 6's launch window, Bethesda and Microsoft may be trying to ensure that both games have adequate attention and marketing support.

The reported improvements to space flight systems address one of the most common criticisms of Starfield, where players felt that space travel was too fragmented and lacked the sense of exploration that the game's premise promised. If these changes materialize, they could significantly enhance the overall experience and address player feedback about the game's core mechanics.

The mention of Creation Engine improvements that will carry forward to future games suggests that Bethesda is using Starfield as a testing ground for technology that will benefit upcoming titles like The Elder Scrolls VI. This long-term perspective indicates that the studio is thinking beyond just fixing Starfield's immediate issues.

As players wait for more information about the upcoming DLC and improvements, the closed-door previews suggest that Bethesda is actively working on addressing feedback and enhancing the game. The delay may be frustrating for fans, but it could also result in a more polished and comprehensive update when it finally arrives in 2026.