# How much did it cost to develop Starfield?

> Bethesda has never disclosed Starfield's budget; estimates put it in the hundreds of millions of dollars after roughly seven years of full development.

Bethesda and Microsoft have never published Starfield's development budget. Industry estimates put it in the **hundreds of millions of dollars**, which is typical for a big AAA game: the studio's first new universe in 25 years was in full production for roughly seven years after Fallout 4 (2015) and launched in September 2023, with marketing costs on top.

## What drove the cost

- **Long development:** a large team working for years is the biggest expense in modern game budgets.
- **New engine work:** Starfield runs on Creation Engine 2, a major upgrade of Bethesda's technology.
- **Scale:** over 1,000 planets, many of them procedurally generated, plus hand-built cities and quests.
- **Voice acting, music and art** for a huge RPG.
- **Marketing** for a flagship Xbox and PC release.

## Was it worth it for Microsoft?

Starfield had a big launch, especially on Xbox Game Pass, which makes direct sales comparisons difficult. Reviews were good but mixed compared with Bethesda's earlier hits; players praised the scale and ship building but criticized loading screens and empty procedural planets. Bethesda has since released updates and the Shattered Space expansion (2024).

## FAQ

**Why did Starfield take so long to develop?**
It was Bethesda's first new IP in decades, needed a new engine version and was a very large RPG.

**Has Starfield gotten better?**
Updates added features players asked for, such as city maps, more customization and land vehicles, and many players think it's improved since launch.

**Does Starfield really have 1,000 planets?**
Yes, but most are procedurally generated; the main content is concentrated in hand-crafted locations.

**Which game had the highest development cost?**
Exact figures are rarely public; long-running projects like Star Citizen and big AAA franchises are among the most expensive games ever made.

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https://gamevoyages.com/how-much-money-did-it-take-to-develop-starfield/ · Game Voyage · Checked 2026-10-30