Kurt Kuhlmann, who served as lead systems designer on Starfield before his departure from Bethesda, has openly expressed significant skepticism regarding the development of Starfield 2. In an interview with FRVR, as reported by Collider, Kuhlmann stated, "I would be very surprised" if a sequel materialized, adding, "I don’t think Starfield was anywhere near successful enough to do a Starfield 2."

This assessment from an insider offers a blunt counterpoint to the initial hype surrounding the sprawling space epic. While Starfield delivered a vast universe with hundreds of planets and intricate ship-building mechanics, some players—and seemingly Kuhlmann himself—felt that the game's impressive individual systems didn't always coalesce into a unified, compelling narrative experience. Kuhlmann specifically cited the outpost building system as an example, noting its lesser integration with the main story compared to the settlement mechanics in Fallout 4.

For Kuhlmann, a sequel would have presented a crucial opportunity to refine these elements and fully realize the ambitious vision Bethesda held for the original game. He believes a second attempt could build upon the foundation, learning from the challenges of bringing Starfield's myriad ideas together. However, his comments reflect a personal take on the game's reception and potential, rather than an official statement from Bethesda.

Bethesda, for its part, maintains a considerably more optimistic public stance regarding Starfield's future. The studio announced in July that the game had surpassed 17 million players and remains a vital component of its long-term plans. Promises of ongoing updates, new stories, and additional Starborn content for the original Starfield are already in the pipeline for the coming year. This commitment underscores Bethesda's dedication to the universe, even if a direct sequel isn't explicitly on the horizon.

However, the studio's current development roadmap further complicates the likelihood of Starfield 2. Bethesda's primary focus is firmly set on The Elder Scrolls VI, the highly anticipated next installment in its flagship fantasy series. Additionally, Fallout 5 is already confirmed to be in pre-production. With these two monumental projects occupying the majority of Bethesda's development resources and talent, a Starfield sequel would face fierce competition for time and investment. For now, players eager for more adventures in the Settled Systems will need to rely on the continued expansions and updates for the original Starfield as Bethesda navigates its packed development schedule.