Starfield Releases Update 1.8.88

Game ZXC

Starfield

By Christine Miller

Published Dec 11, 2023

Highlights

Bethesda's recent update for Starfield finally addresses crashes during long playthroughs, providing a fix for a stack overflow bug that caused frustration among players.
The update also fixes a bug that caused random objects to attach to the player's ship during space travel, providing a smoother gameplay experience.
While these updates are encouraging, Starfield still needs a more substantial update to improve its reputation and longevity, as some players continue to criticize its approach to exploration and procedural generation.

Bethesda has released a new update for Starfield, which seems to finally fix the crashes that occur during long playthroughs. While players have been anxiously waiting for new content to drop for Starfield, Bethesda has instead focused on smaller updates that surgically targeted all the game-breaking bugs missed during development. With around 250 employees still working on Starfield, its patches are most likely not the primary focus for the team at Bethesda, but that doesn't necessarily invalidate the fixes implemented through the updates either.

A particularly alarming issue that caused concern and frustration among players was the stack overflow bug that occurred with save games during long playthroughs on high levels of Unity. Not only did it punish fans for engaging with Starfield's content long-term, but it also held some discouraging implications for complex Starfield mods as well. Players wondered how long this bug would persist, and if it would ever be addressed by Bethesda. The outcome, thankfully, seems to be quite encouraging.

Starfield Mod Gives Shipbuilding Another Purpose

An ambitious Starfield mod addresses one common fan complaint by giving the shipbuilding mechanics in Bethesda's RPG another purpose.

Starfield received a new update on December 11. Though it also fixes the strange bug that has enemies, companions, and other objects randomly attaching themselves onto a player's ship, the main star of the patch is undoubtedly the fix that addresses long playthrough crashes. The patch applies to both PC and Xbox players, which means that Starfield fans will hopefully be able to continue their adventure in the Settled Systems without worrying about auto saves and fast travel.

starfield ship command perk not satisfying players want better perk progression system

While Starfield has its share of inspired features, such as the ship builder, the game has also gotten criticism over the way it tackles exploration, where many saw Starfield's procedural generation as being antithetical to the Bethesda sandbox formula. As a result, Starfield has a mixed rating on Steam, and despite Bethesda directly responding to negative Starfield reviews, the score continues to trend down.

Ultimately, it may take a more substantial update for Starfield to turn its reputation around. Despite the initial success, even staunch Bethesda fans struggle to see it replicate the kind of longevity that Skyrim has enjoyed over the years. It remains to be seen how Shattered Space will expand Starfield, but it is arguably the best opportunity for Bethesda to spice up the game. Details on the DLC remain under wraps, but many players speculate that it will likely have something to do with either the enigmatic House Va'ruun, or New Game Plus and the Starborn instead.

STARFIELD UPDATE 1.8.88 NOTES – DECEMBER 11, 2023

FIXES AND IMPROVEMENTS

GAMEPLAY:

Addressed an issue that would cause space matter to become stuck to player's ship during space travel. Loading a save will now remove the space clingon. Please note: This fix should address any space matter being stuck in your travels, but not in instances where player ships have New Atlantis attached. A fix for that will be released in a later update.

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