Summary
Starfield’s new beta update has the game’s lighting taking on some noticeable improvements, which has gamers excited about what’s next.Starfieldwas released on July 16, 2025, kickstarting a new adventure for many gamers and Bethesda fans. As the first Bethesda Game Studios release since 2019, people were excited to get their hands on this release, and it looks like Bethesda is setting the stage for more to come.
There seems to be plenty of groundwork going into ensuringStarfield’s longevity. On its own, the game is ambitious, delivering on the concept of being able to visit a vast number of planets, each with something interesting to do.A year intoStarfield’s life, theShattered Spaceexpansion seems intent on adding to the game’s open-world format, tossing in new places to explore while taking on a darker atmosphere, both tonally and visually. Ahead ofShattered Space’s release, the base game seems to reflect some of this change as well.
Reddit user DinDisco compiled an album after noticing thatStarfield’s new Steam updatecomes with drastic changes to its lighting in several areas. Showing off places like Euphorika and Infinity HQ, a big takeaway is thatStarfield’s visual design is starting to come off as noticeably “moodier.” Fans noted that the added visual warmth and the contrast in areas are part of what makes the lighting shine. In addition, players are saying that these changes feel like they complementStarfield’s story atmosphere. Some gamers are hoping that, based on these noticeable improvements, the developers will include comparison pictures focused on lighting in patch notes for this update’s release.
Starfield Update Overhauls Lighting
DinDisco also notes that the lighting changes reflected in these pictures are not just specific to the locations they have explored. There are plenty of POIs that appear to have been improved, and players are looking forward to seeing more of them. Fans are hoping that these same changes will be reflected on the same level when consoles receive the update. Furthermore, this adjustment to the game’s lighting is raising hopes for thequality ofShattered Space, which is already set to be a massive release.
Despite the more mixed reactions that gamers had toStarfieldinitially, people seem to be getting more excited about the title now that they know exactly what they’re getting. As theSeptember 30 release date ofShattered Spacegets even closer, many players are excited to see what’s new. That excitement surrounding new content doesn’t appear to be stopping Bethesda from adding plenty of tweaks that may have fans going around to see what’s changed.
Starfield
WHERE TO PLAY
Starfield is the first new universe in 25 years from Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4. In this next generation role-playing game set amongst the stars, create any character you want and explore with unparalleled freedom as you embark on an epic journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery.The year is 2330. Humanity has ventured beyond our solar system, settling new planets, and living as a spacefaring people. From humble beginnings as a space miner, you will join Constellation – the last group of space explorers seeking rare artifacts throughout the galaxy – and navigate the vast expanse of the Settled Systems in Bethesda Game Studios’ biggest and most ambitious game.
