During Gamescom Opening Night Live, Bethesda Game Studios announced the immediate availability of a new free update for Starfield. Additionally, the studio confirmed that Shattered Space, the next story expansion for the game, will be released on 1 October 2024.
The August update introduces the REV-8 land vehicle, a new mode of transportation designed to give players more freedom to explore Starfield‘s diverse environments. The REV-8 is equipped with a mounted turret for combat, armour for protection, and room for a companion. It also features boosters that not only help cover ground quickly but also allow players to leap over obstacles and reach otherwise inaccessible areas.
To access the REV-8, players will need to visit a ship service technician to install a vehicle module. Once installed, the REV-8 will automatically deploy outside the chosen ship wherever the player lands.
The update also introduces new display settings for Xbox Series S to match those available on Xbox Series X. These include:
- Frame Rate Target: Players can choose between frame rates of 30, 40, 60, or an uncapped rate on Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) displays. On non-VRR displays, only 30 or 60 fps can be selected, with potential screen tearing when set to 60 fps.
- Prioritise: Options are available to prioritise either Visuals or Performance. Selecting Visuals maintains the highest resolution and detail levels for effects, lighting, and crowds, while Performance lowers these settings to boost frame rates. Both modes may dynamically adjust internal resolution based on scene complexity.
- VSync: A toggle has been added to turn VSync on or off. Turning VSync off may lead to screen tearing as it decouples the game frame rate from the monitor’s refresh rate. Enabling VSync synchronises the game’s frame rate with the monitor’s refresh rate to reduce tearing but may limit the number of frames rendered.
The Shattered Space expansion invites players to explore the new city of Dazra on House Va’Ruun’s hidden homeworld. It also includes the opportunity to investigate a frightening cosmic threat, explore House Va’Ruun’s home planet, and discover unique weapons, spacesuits, and gear.
Owners of the Premium or Constellation Editions of Starfield will receive Shattered Space as part of their original purchase. Players who own the base edition can purchase the Premium Upgrade, which includes access to Shattered Space and other digital items, such as a Digital Art Book, Original Soundtrack, 1,000 Creation Credits, and the Constellation Skin pack.
