Starfield may feature microtransactions or other in-game DLC according to the official ESRB rating for the upcoming sci-fi role-playing game. Starfield is scheduled to launch on September 6, four months from now, and as such still has much left to reveal. Whether Starfield will feature microtransactions or an in-game marketplace is one important question yet to be answered. Few would be surprised if Bethesda did add microtransactions, though, and this latest update may confirm it.
Microtransactions are a part of Bethesda Game Studios' DNA in ways they aren't even in other DLC-rich games. Many associate the modern microtransaction environment as being born from The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion's infamous horse armor DLC. Bethesda hasn't slowed since, either. It's known for aggressively pushing paid mod storefronts, now known as the Bethesda Creation Club. Even after initially promising that Fallout 4 would not have microtransactions, Bethesda eventually introduced them through the Creation Club.
While nothing is certain yet regarding Bethesda's microtransaction plans for Starfield, there's early indication that the role-playing game will launch with in-game DLC offerings. The revelation comes due to the publication of the ESRB's rating for Starfield. Starfield is given a Mature 17+ rating due to "Blood, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs, and Violence." It's also flagged with a note that Starfield includes "In-Game Purchases (PC, Xbox Series)."
The lack of clarity is due to the ambiguity of the ESRB's warning. "In-Game Purchases" could refer to many different systems. It could be as simple as a storefront for future DLC releases, akin to Skyrim's expansions like Dawnguard, Hearthfire, or Dragonborn. More likely, it means Bethesda is planning on bringing the Creation Club to Starfield, Bethesda's officially sanctioned premium mod storefront. Whether it means Starfield will feature microtransactions like horse armor or potentially gameplay-altering DLC isn't clear. Bethesda will have to approach the subject gently.
The situation is understandably flammable for Bethesda. While the modern video game community is much more comfortable with in-game purchases and storefronts of any kind, controversies are still frequent and explosive. Bethesda is no stranger to these controversies, however, and they've hardly impacted the popularity of Fallout or Elder Scrolls titles.
It's unclear when Bethesda will share official plans for Starfield's in-game purchases. Starfield will be prominently featured during Xbox's June Games Showcase on June 11. But that event will likely focus on gameplay features and introducing the universe of Starfield. In-game purchase plans may not be shared until much closer to launch.
Starfield releases September 6 on PC and Xbox Series X/S.