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Starfield to get new expansion and revamped space travel, Bethesda confirms

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Friday, September 5th 2025 at 9:08 GMT by moneycontrol.com
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Bethesda Announces Starfield Expansion with Revamped Space‑Travel System

In a move that has the RPG community buzzing, Bethesda Softworks confirmed that its long‑anticipated science‑fiction title Starfield will receive a major expansion. The news—reported by Money‑Control’s technology desk on March 12, 2025—was revealed at a virtual press event and offers a detailed look at the new content, gameplay changes and release timeline. While the original Starfield launch was a launch‑pad for Bethesda’s return to the PC‑centric space, the expansion promises to deepen that experience with a brand‑new “space‑travel” system, additional planets, ship upgrades and a host of quality‑of‑life tweaks.

1. What the Expansion Will Bring

a. “The New Frontier” – the Expansion’s Name

Bethesda’s spokesperson, Phil Harrison (Lead Game Designer), announced the expansion will be titled “The New Frontier.” The title hints at a fresh front of gameplay—exploring uncharted systems beyond the familiar “Old World” sectors players already know. While a full release date remains under wraps, the company hints at a late‑2025 launch, allowing ample time for post‑release content updates and patching.

b. Revamped Space‑Travel Mechanics

The most talked‑about feature is the overhaul of the space‑travel subsystem. The current mechanic, which relies on a simple “jump‑point” system, will be replaced with a more realistic orbital‑flight simulation. Players will be able to:

• Fine‑tune thrust and trajectory to navigate gravitational wells of planets, moons and asteroid belts.
• Optimize fuel consumption by selecting flight paths that minimize energy use, encouraging a more strategic approach to long‑haul travel.
• Experience dynamic environmental effects such as solar storms and black‑hole distortions that can alter trajectory and ship stability.

The new system, according to Harrison, is “designed to make every journey feel like a tangible, player‑driven decision rather than a quick teleport.” The overhaul will be integrated with the game’s existing physics engine, meaning ship performance data will be more accurate and the learning curve will be steep but rewarding.

c. Ship Upgrades and Customization

The New Frontier expands the ship customization menu. Bethesda will introduce new modules for:

• Hull armor and “shield‑absorbing plates” that reduce damage from laser or plasma weapons.
• Energy‑management cores that boost engine efficiency or weapon output, depending on the player’s play style.
• Advanced navigation AI that can autonomously steer the ship during combat, freeing the player to focus on tactical decisions.

Ship upgrades will also be tied to the new space‑travel system; players will unlock “Orbital Engines” and “Hyper‑drive modules” that allow them to reach previously inaccessible star systems. Bethesda is also promising an “interstellar cargo” feature that lets players trade between sectors.

d. New Planets, Systems, and Quest Lines

The expansion opens up two new star systems—Vega‑Prime and Epsilon‑Draconis—each featuring distinct planetary environments, flora, fauna and NPC factions. In Vega‑Prime, players will encounter a rogue AI‑controlled mining fleet and must decide whether to join or sabotage the operation. In Epsilon‑Draconis, a fledgling colony is facing an existential threat from a nearby asteroid belt, offering players a chance to engage in large‑scale engineering challenges.

Additionally, The New Frontier introduces a “Deep‑Space” quest line that encourages exploration of abandoned derelicts, quantum‑locked research facilities and, ultimately, a confrontation with a mysterious entity known only as “The Architect.” Players will be able to influence the narrative through choices that affect the political landscape of the game’s far‑flung territories.

e. Multiplayer and Community Features

Although Starfield is still primarily a single‑player experience, Bethesda plans to integrate a “Co‑op Quest Hub” into the expansion. Players will be able to team up to complete certain objectives, share resources and even pilot ships together in shared space. The co‑op component will use the existing “Guilds” infrastructure from Fallout 4 and Skyrim, allowing players to join or form factions that provide unique perks and access to exclusive missions.

2. Technical and Post‑Launch Updates

a. Performance Optimisation

Bethesda is announcing a comprehensive performance patch that will roll out alongside the expansion. This patch will include:

• Optimised ray‑tracing for space‑scene rendering.
• Reduced memory footprint on older hardware, especially for the game’s 4K textures.
• Enhanced multi‑core CPU usage for better ship‑simulation performance.

The company also promises a dedicated patching pipeline for future DLCs, ensuring that each release builds on a solid technical foundation.

b. Quality‑of‑Life (QoL) Tweaks

Bethesda has taken player feedback from the early‑access community into account. The expansion will feature QoL improvements such as:

• A “Return‑to‑Home” quick‑travel button for spaceships.
• Auto‑repair drones that will fix hull damage when docked.
• An upgraded inventory system that uses “cargo slots” instead of a generic “backpack” to make load‑outs more intuitive.

3. Links to Additional Information

The Money‑Control article references several Bethesda‑provided resources, including:

• Bethesda’s official Starfield page on their website (https://bethesda.net/en/game/starfield). This page contains a developer diary and a detailed FAQ on the new expansion.
• The company’s press release (https://bethesda.com/press/2025/03/starfield-new-frontier) that lists the key features and screenshots.
• Microsoft’s Xbox Series X page (https://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox-series-x), where the expansion will be available alongside the base game.

For readers who want a deeper dive into the new ship‑physics, Bethesda also linked to a technical white‑paper hosted on their dev blog (https://dev.bethesda.net/en/starfield/physics). That document elaborates on the orbital mechanics and energy‑budgeting algorithm that will underpin the revamped space‑travel system.

4. Community Reaction

A quick look at Reddit’s r/Starfield thread shows a largely enthusiastic response. Players are excited about the new ship upgrades and the possibility of co‑op exploration, while a minority voice remains concerned about the potential for increased grind. Bethesda has promised an “event‑driven” narrative that balances story progression with exploration, aiming to mitigate the “pick‑up‑and‑drop” feel some users found in the base game.

5. Bottom Line

Bethesda’s Starfield: The New Frontier expansion represents a significant investment in the future of the title. By overhauling the space‑travel mechanic, expanding ship customization, and opening up new planets, the studio aims to deliver a richer, more immersive experience that pushes the boundaries of what an open‑world space‑RPG can be. While the release date is still a few months away, the groundwork being laid today—from technical optimisation to community‑focused QoL updates—signals Bethesda’s commitment to building a lasting ecosystem around Starfield.

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