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Starfield: What's Next After Shattered Space DLC?

Last Updated: October 23, 2025

Starfield's logo over a nebula, representing the game's vast universe.

Bethesda's space epic, Starfield, has been on a long, turbulent journey since its initial launch. Players have invested countless hours exploring its vast universe, but the post-launch roadmap has been a critical focus for the community. Following the release of the first major expansion, Shattered Space, on September 30, 2024, the conversation has shifted. With that DLC receiving a mixed critical reception and a largely negative response from players, all eyes are now on Bethesda's next move.

As the dust settles, new trademark filings and community theories point toward a future deeply entwined with the game’s central mystery: the Starborn.

A Post-Shattered Space Reality

The initial excitement for Starfield's post-launch content has been tempered by the reality of its first offering. While Shattered Space introduced a new storyline centered on House Va'ruun, many players felt it didn't fundamentally address the core critiques of the base game, such as exploration depth and narrative impact. This has placed immense pressure on the next DLC. The community is no longer just looking for more content; they are looking for a transformative expansion that can reinvigorate the experience and fulfill the game's ambitious promises.

The "Starborn Expansion" Tease

Recent trademark filings by Bethesda have given fans their biggest clue yet. While unconfirmed, the evidence points toward the next major DLC being a "Starborn Expansion." This title immediately focuses on the main quest's controversial and enigmatic element: the interdimensional travelers, the Unity, and the nature of the multiverse.

Unlike the faction-focused Shattered Space, a Starborn-centric DLC could fundamentally alter the gameplay loop. The implications are vast. Will players explore the history and society of the Starborn? Will we visit other universes with drastically different outcomes and characters? Or will it be a more personal story, delving into the consequences of becoming a Starborn and the endless cycle of rebirth? This approach could finally provide the meaningful, universe-altering stakes that many felt were missing from the main narrative.

Potential Gameplay Impacts

If the next expansion truly focuses on the Starborn, it could introduce several game-changing mechanics that go far beyond new quests and locations.

  • Expanded Multiverse Mechanics: The New Game Plus mode is the current manifestation of Starfield's multiverse. A dedicated DLC could blow this concept wide open, allowing players to perhaps intentionally hop between universes or encounter worlds where key historical events played out differently, creating radically altered factions and political landscapes.
  • Deeper Starborn Powers: The existing Starborn powers, while useful, have been a point of contention. An expansion could overhaul this system, introducing new abilities, skill trees, and ways to integrate these powers more seamlessly into combat, dialogue, and exploration, making players feel more like the powerful beings they are supposed to be.
  • New Narrative Stakes: A Starborn story could pit players against rogue Starborn factions or a threat from beyond the Unity itself. This could introduce complex moral choices about the cycle of universes and the player's role within it, adding a layer of philosophical and strategic depth currently absent from faction squabbles.

High Stakes and Cautious Expectations

While the prospect of a deep-dive into Starfield's most unique concept is exciting, the community's optimism is now guarded. The reception of Shattered Space serves as a stark reminder that a compelling premise doesn't always guarantee a successful execution. The key question is whether Bethesda can deliver on such a high-concept idea.

The success of a "Starborn Expansion" hinges on Bethesda's ability to seamlessly integrate these cosmic ideas into the established world. It must feel like a natural, compelling evolution of the player's journey, not a disconnected side story. More importantly, it must address player feedback and demonstrate a willingness to refine and deepen the game's core systems.

After a rocky first expansion, Starfield's second major DLC isn't just another content drop—it's a critical moment for the game's legacy. Whether it's a "Starborn Expansion" or something else entirely, it will need to be ambitious, polished, and impactful to win back player confidence and secure Starfield's future in the stars. The wait is on, and the Settled Systems are watching.