Did you love Starfield? If so, get ready for its sequel, which is shaping up to be even better, according to Bruce Nesmith, a former game designer at Bethesda. Known for his work on Fallout and The Elder Scrolls, Nesmith recently shared his thoughts on Starfield 2 with VideoGamer, revealing that Bethesda’s newest IP is only scratching the surface of its potential.
Nesmith reflected on the challenges Bethesda faced in launching Starfield, their first new franchise in 25 years. While acknowledging that Starfield is not a perfect game, he highlighted the “flashes of brilliance” that set it apart. In his view, this provides a strong foundation for an improved sequel, similar to the evolution seen in iconic series like Mass Effect and Assassin’s Creed.
“When we built Skyrim, we had the tremendous advantage of Oblivion, which had the tremendous advantage of Morrowind. All that stuff was there for us,” Nesmith explained. He believes Starfield 2 will fix a lot of things that people are complaining about while building on the original’s strengths.
Building a Stronger Starfield Sequel
Nesmith compared the process to developing Bethesda’s previous hits, where each game benefited from its predecessor. He emphasized how a first installment often lays the groundwork, with sequels fine-tuning mechanics, story, and world-building elements based on player feedback. He sees Starfield 2 as following this pattern, promising a fantastic game that addresses critiques while introducing new features.
“If you look at the first Dragon Age, the first Assassin’s Creed, the first game in a lot of IPs, they tend to show off flashes of brilliance,” Nesmith noted, suggesting Starfield 2 could capitalize on those flashes by perfecting its gameplay and narrative depth.
For now, fans will have to wait for updates on Starfield 2 while enjoying Starfield’s recent expansions, including Shattered Space. Whether Nesmith’s optimism holds, only time will tell—but his confidence in Bethesda’s ability to evolve this new universe is clear.
