Latest news on Starfield DLC in 2025
Bethesda launched its first story expansion Shattered Space on 30 September 2024 and promised more story expansions. Since then the studio has rolled out a series of free updates,
like improved surface maps, interior ship‑decoration, AMD FSR 3 support, the REV‑8 land vehicle and new Xbox Series S visual settings. Despite this steady post‑launch support, the company’s plans for a second expansion remain shrouded in mystery. According to industry insider reports, Microsoft now intends to release the next expansion alongside a PlayStation 5 port in spring 2026, partly because Shattered Space’s sales were weaker than expected. Rumours suggest the expansion is codenamed “Starborn” and will be larger than the first, but insiders caution that it is unlikely to arrive in 2025. Meanwhile, Bethesda tells fans they have “exciting things” planned and that the core team is still working on Starfield content.
This article collates everything confirmed, rumoured and speculated about Starfield DLC as of August 2025. It also explains the existing Shattered Space expansion, outlines Bethesda’s post‑launch updates, and explores what future expansions might include.
Confirmed DLC: Shattered Space
Overview
Shattered Space is Starfield’s first story expansion. Bethesda describes it as “an all‑new handcrafted story expansion” that takes place on House Va’ruun’s hidden homeworld.
A mysterious cosmic threat is stirring in the capital city of Dazra, and the player must investigate a distress signal from the Oracle star station.
The expansion sends players to Va’ruun’kai (also spelled Va’ruun Kai), explore a new planet, meet new characters and unlock unique weapons, spacesuits and gear.
Bethesda emphasises that the expansion is a self‑contained, hand‑crafted location akin to Fallout 4’s Far Harbor, allowing players to experience a more focused narrative without the procedural generation seen in the base game.
Story and characters
Shattered Space dives into the lore of House Va’ruun, a theocratic faction worshipping the Great Serpent. For most of Starfield, Va’ruun operates in the shadows; the expansion finally takes players to its seat of power.
Upon arriving, players discover that a distress signal from the Oracle star station has unleashed a cosmic anomaly threatening Va’ruun society. As they explore Dazra’s districts and the surrounding wilderness, they encounter Va’ruun zealots, a splinter group of House Ma’leen, and possibly the Oracle itself.
Bethesda hints that players will decide the future of House Va’ruun. New companions, weapons and armour, including gear inspired by Va’ruun’s serpentine motifs — accompany the storyline.
Release date and editions
Release date: 30 September 2024 (released simultaneously worldwide at 11 a.m. EDT/8 a.m. PDT).
Price: US $29.99 as a standalone purchase.
Included in editions: The expansion is bundled with the Digital Premium Edition, the Premium Edition Upgrade and the Constellation Edition of Starfield. Base edition owners must buy it separately or purchase the Premium Upgrade, which also includes the Constellation Skin Pack, digital art book and soundtrack.
Content overview
Shattered Space is set mostly on Va’ruun’kai and features:
New main questline: Investigate a cosmic threat and decide the fate of House Va’ruun.
All‑new handcrafted environments: Dazra, the hidden city of Va’ruun, plus surrounding wilderness.
New companions and NPCs: Va’ruun zealots, House Ma’leen rebels, and members of the Oracle.
Unique loot: Va’ruun‑themed weapons, spacesuits and other gear.
Spooky, self‑contained tone: Bethesda says the expansion leans into a cosmic horror atmosphere.
Release timeline and major updates
Bethesda has supported Starfield with regular updates since launch. In addition to Shattered Space, several free patches have added quality‑of‑life features, performance improvements and new systems. Below is a timeline summarising important releases (all dates in EDT):
| Date | Update / Expansion | Key features | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
20 Feb 2024 (Update 1.9.67) | FSR 3 & XeSS support | Added AMD FidelityFX™ Super Resolution 3 (FSR 3) and Intel Xe Super Sampling (XeSS), improved stability by addressing FormID loading issues, and fixed visual artefacts. | Bethesda patch notes |
15 May 2024 (Update 1.11.36) | Improved maps & ship decoration | Introduced vastly improved surface maps, new gameplay options to adjust combat difficulty, and Ship Decoration mode allowing players to decorate ship interiors like outposts. Also added container tabs, trait & appearance changes after entering the Unity, dialogue camera toggles and display settings for Xbox Series X. | Bethesda update 1.11.36 |
15 Aug 2024 (Update 1.14.2) | REV‑8 land vehicle | Added the REV‑8, Starfield’s first land vehicle, as a free feature. Players purchase a vehicle module from a ship technician; the REV‑8 automatically deploys when landing and features a turret, armour and jump boosters. The update also added Xbox Series S performance options (frame‑rate targets at 30/40/60/unlocked and visual/performance toggles). | Bethesda August update |
| 30 Sept 2024 | Shattered Space expansion | Released the first paid expansion with a new planet, story and unique gear. | Bethesda Shattered Space |
May 22 2025 (Update 1.15.216) | May 2025 patch | Added “Very Low” graphics setting, improved Creation Kit support (Creations up to 2 GB, ability to bundle Creations), and highlighted the Watchtower Creation with new ship attachments and orbital strikes. The patch mostly delivered bug fixes, improved stability and fixed issues related to Shattered Space. | Pure Xbox reporting |
Bethesda also rolled out multiple beta updates between January–September 2024, gradually improving lighting, maps, quests and mod support. The company has promised regular quality‑of‑life patches alongside major story expansions.
Expected content and speculation about future Starfield DLC
Todd Howard’s vision and official hints
In multiple interviews, Bethesda creative director Todd Howard confirmed that the studio aims to deliver annual story expansions for Starfield. He compared Shattered Space to Far Harbor from Fallout 4 and said the team was already planning the expansion after Shattered Space. Howard explained that each expansion will explore a different tone and location, and that Bethesda hopes to continue the series of expansions “for a long time”. These statements indicate that at least one more DLC beyond Shattered Space is planned.
During the August 2024 update reveal, Bethesda’s lead producer Joe Mueller described Shattered Space as a self‑contained, handcrafted experience focusing on the isolated culture of House Va’ruun and hinted that future expansions might explore other factions or uncharted areas. In early 2025 Bethesda reiterated that they have “exciting things” coming and that the core team is still working on Starfield content.
Rumours about the second expansion (possible Starborn)
Shortly after Shattered Space launched, data‑miners discovered references to a project codenamed “Starborn” — the same term used for the multiverse‑travelling antagonists in Starfield. TheGamer speculates that a Starborn expansion could delve into the origin of the Artifacts and temples, explore the mysterious Creators, and expand on the game’s New Game Plus–style multiverse mechanic. The article notes that the Starborn use the Artifacts to build the Armillary, enabling them to travel between universes, and that a deeper exploration of these mechanics would open “infinite possibilities” for new stories.
However, such speculation remains unconfirmed. Windows Central journalist Jez Corden stated on the Xbox Two podcast that Bethesda’s core team is still working on more Starfield DLC but that he does not know when it will release.
Insider reports: 2026 release and PS5 port
In July 2025, Wccftech reported that insiders on the ResetERA forum believe the second expansion is unlikely to launch in 2025, though it is in active development. A subsequent Wccftech story citing sources from MP1st claimed that Microsoft has delayed the next expansion to spring 2026 and will release it alongside a PlayStation 5 port of Starfield. According to the report, weak sales of Shattered Space contributed to the delay. If accurate, this would mark the game’s first appearance on Sony hardware.
As of August 2025 Bethesda and Microsoft have not officially announced the second expansion, its name or release window. Fans should therefore treat any details as rumour until confirmed.
Potential themes and features
Based on game lore and developer comments, fans speculate that future DLC could include:
Starborn and the multiverse: A story exploring the Starborn faction, the Creators, and the deeper workings of the Unity. This could involve alternate universes, variants of Constellation members and different versions of the Settled Systems.
New factions and systems: With House Va’ruun explored in Shattered Space, expansions might focus on factions like The Trade Authority, House Va’Ruunkai (the rogue Va’ruun sect), or new alien cultures previously hinted at but unexplored.
Vehicle and ship mechanics: Todd Howard has acknowledged interest in adding more gameplay mechanics, including land vehicles. Given the positive reception to the free REV‑8 land vehicle, future expansions could introduce more vehicle types or enhancements like space‑borne mechs.
Creation Club integration: Bethesda’s May 2025 update improved Creations support by allowing larger mods and bundling them. Future DLC could leverage this to incorporate curated mods or official mission packs created through the Creation Kit.
Pricing and editions explained
Starfield is available in multiple editions. Understanding what each package offers is essential for determining whether you already own access to the DLC or need to upgrade:
| Edition | Contents | DLC access | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Edition | Base game only. | No Shattered Space access; must purchase separately. | Bethesda support |
| Digital Premium Edition | Base game, Shattered Space expansion (included upon release), up to 5 days early access, Constellation Skin Pack (Equinox laser rifle, spacesuit, helmet and boost pack), and digital art book & soundtrack. | Includes Shattered Space. | Bethesda support |
| Premium Edition Upgrade | Upgrade for Standard Edition owners; grants Shattered Space, early access, Constellation Skin Pack and digital extras. | Includes Shattered Space. | Bethesda support |
| Constellation Edition | Premium Edition Upgrade contents plus a Chronomark smartwatch, a steelbook display case, a Constellation patch and a credit stick with game code. | Includes Shattered Space. | Bethesda support |
Premium Edition owners, therefore, already have access to Shattered Space. Base edition players can purchase the standalone DLC for $29.99 or buy the Premium Edition Upgrade (which also unlocks early access and cosmetics). Xbox Game Pass subscribers get a 10 percent discount on DLC purchases purexbox.com.
What Bethesda has said about post‑launch expansions
Bethesda repeatedly stresses that Starfield is a long‑term platform for RPG adventures. Key points from developer statements include:
Annual story expansions: Todd Howard told VGC and GamesRadar that Bethesda aims for one big story expansion per year. Shattered Space is the first, with at least one more expansion planned.
Hand‑crafted worlds: Howard compared Shattered Space to Far Harbor, emphasising a hand‑crafted area rather than procedural exploration. He hinted that future expansions will offer different tones and experiences to keep the game fresh.
Ongoing updates: Bethesda has released numerous patches to improve performance, fix quests and add features like ship decoration and the REV‑8. They pledge to continue releasing updates while developing expansions, and they encourage feedback from the community.
Mod support: The Creation Kit and Creations Store allow players to build and download mods. Bethesda continues to expand this ecosystem, suggesting that community creations will play a role in the game’s long‑term growth.
DLC roadmap and what comes next
Putting together official information and credible rumours yields a tentative Starfield DLC roadmap:
Shattered Space (released September 30 2024) – Focuses on House Va’ruun, adds a new planet and story, included in Premium/Constellation editions.
Free updates (2024–2025) – FSR 3 support, improved maps and ship decoration, land vehicle REV‑8, new graphics options and bug fixes.
Second expansion (rumoured for spring 2026) – Reportedly titled “Starborn”, expected to be larger than Shattered Space and to ship alongside a PlayStation 5 port. Insiders suggest it will not release in 2025.
Future expansions – Todd Howard hints at more annual expansions, each with a distinct theme and tone. Areas of interest include the Starborn, The Creators, other factions and perhaps entirely new star systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Starfield DLC free?
Starfield’s post‑launch updates (patches, bug fixes, quality‑of‑life features like ship decoration and the REV‑8 vehicle) are free for all owners of the base game. However, story expansions like Shattered Space are paid. Shattered Space costs US $29.99, though it is included in the Digital Premium, Premium Upgrade and Constellation editions. Future expansions are expected to follow a similar pricing model.
What is the Shattered Space expansion?
Shattered Space is the first major story expansion for Starfield. It sends players to Va’ruun’kai, the hidden homeworld of House Va’ruun, to investigate a cosmic threat and decide the faction’s future. The expansion features a self‑contained, hand‑crafted environment, new quests, companions, and unique Va’ruun‑themed weapons and gear. It launched on 30 September 2024 and costs $29.99 unless included in your edition.
When is the next Starfield DLC coming out?
Bethesda has not officially announced the release date for the second expansion. Todd Howard has said the studio plans to deliver story expansions annually, and development of the next DLC is underway. Rumours from insiders suggest the expansion — possibly titled Starborn — will not arrive until spring 2026 and may coincide with the PlayStation 5 release, but these details remain unconfirmed. Fans should wait for an official announcement.
Do I need to finish the main story to play the DLC?
For Shattered Space, players only need to reach the main game’s open‑world stage (after the prologue). Bethesda typically allows expansions to be accessed early in the main campaign, though the difficulty may scale to your level. If the rumoured Starborn expansion explores the multiverse and New Game Plus mechanic, it may require completion of the main story, but this is speculative.
Is Starfield DLC available on PlayStation?
As of August 2025, Starfield and its Shattered Space expansion are exclusive to PC and Xbox. Wccftech reports that Microsoft plans to release Starfield on PlayStation 5 in spring 2026 alongside the second expansion, but no official announcement has been made. Until then, PlayStation players cannot access Starfield or its DLC.
Are there free expansions or content?
Starfield’s free updates are significant but they are not labelled as expansions. They include performance upgrades (FSR 3, XeSS), improved maps, ship decoration, the REV‑8 land vehicle, new graphical options and numerous bug fixes. These free updates enhance the experience without adding new story arcs
Related Content:
wiseBloke.com strives to provide comprehensive, trustworthy gaming guides. Keep checking back for updates on Starfield’s future expansions as more details emerge.
Leave a Reply