People would rather play Farming Simulator than Starfield right now
Bethesda reached for the stars with the release of Starfield, but has the developer's first new IP in a quarter of a century already flown too close to the sun? Starfield was tipped to be one of this year's biggest wins, but after missing out on a coveted nomination for Game of the Year at The Game Awards, its troubles might've just begun.
It's been a big year for video games, as the big three of Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony have churned out bangers like Starfield, Tears of the Kingdom, and Spider-Man 2. Still, it's the Green Team that's taken the brunt of the negativity, with Starfield being called out for everything from empty spaces to unfortunate Bethesda records.
Starfield player count takes a hit
Click to enlargeForgetting the childish console wars of not being able to enjoy your rival's games on PlayStation or Xbox, there are some seemingly disappointing numbers when it comes to Starfield's player count. According to Steam Charts, you're turning away from Starfield in your droves - just two and a half months after release.
Starfield had an all-time peak of 330,597 players on September 10. With this being just four days after release, it was a positive start. If you look at the charts, it's clear Starfield is on a downward trajectory. On November 23, it had an average 22,994 players. It's hardly dead, but it's lightyears away from its debut.
Looking at what else is moving and shaking in the world of Steam, Starifeld is being beaten by some not-so-stiff competition. At the time of writing, Starfield is being bested by Governor of Poker 3, Remnant II, and Deep Rock Galactic. Yes, even Farming Simulator 22 has eclipsed Starfield - boasting a 24-hour peak of 41,839.
As for other Bethesda games, Starfield falls just short of the Skyrim Special Edition's 24,925. This isn't great when you consider the latter came out in 2016, the first version of the game released in 2011, and Bethesda pitched Starfield as the next Skyrim. It's grim reading, but all is not lost.
Starfield is still a hit on Xbox
Click to enlargeOf course, Steam doesn't take into account those who are still exploring the cosmos on their Xbox. As well as those who've paid for the title, it's a major addition to Game Pass. Microsoft's official charts list Starfield in 11th place, beating the likes of Apex Legends, GTA Online, and Forza Motorsport.
Xbox's (current) most-played title is surprising no one, with Fortnite taking the top spot. Sledgehammer Games' Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 comes in second, which is also unsurprising given that it was just released. Still, Starfield's placement outside of the Top 10 makes for some interesting insight.
As more games emerge and even the most intrepid astronauts lose interest, Starfield is likely to slip further down the rankings. Thankfully, we know Bethesda is committed to the future of Starfield and is hoping to support the sci-fi explorer for at least five years.
The Shattered Space DLC is the first stop on the Starfield roadmap, and just like we saw Cyberpunk 2077 soar back to the top of the charts when Phantom Liberty released, Starfield's slump is likely only temporary. Despite what critics might have you believe, Starfield is far from out of rocket fuel yet.
