Long-time Xbox poster boy Master Chief may be feeling left out in the cold as Bethesda Game Studios’Starfieldappears front and center in new photos of a Chinese Xbox Series X box. WhileHalo’s spacefaring Spartan has made prominent appearances on Xbox hardware boxes for over 20 years at this point, the lukewarm reception to343 Industries’Halo Infinitemay be the reason Microsoft has decided to place him on the back burner in favor of Bethesda’s eagerly anticipated “Skyrim in space.”
Beginning development as the company was winding down work on 2015’sFallout 4, Bethesda Game Studios’ upcoming sci-fi RPGStarfieldrepresents the company’s most highly anticipated release sinceThe Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The first high-profile launch from the industry heavyweight following the acquisition of Bethesda Softworks by Microsoft in 2021,Starfieldwill be exclusive toXbox Series X/S consolesand PC when it releases later this year. Microsoft is surely hoping that the sci-fi title can follow in the footsteps ofSkyrim’s massive success and help draw gamers into the Xbox ecosystem.
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Gamers looking forward to Bethesda’s latest massive RPG expressed excitement at the photo, with some fans speculating that the game could be released sooner than expected despite recent rumors thatStarfieldhas been delayedyet again. Making light of the game’s protracted development cycle, one comment joked that the game’s prominent spot on the box meant thatStarfieldwould arrive on the Xbox Series X “at some point between today and when the events ofStarfieldtake place.” Seemingly wary after a series of uneven releases from the developer in recent years, other commenters stated that they simply hoped Bethesda’sStarfieldwould be worth the wait.
With recent rumors stating thatStarfieldplaytesters are loving the gameafter getting hands-on time with the title, it sounds like players may be in for something special when the game releases later this year. After spending over $7 billion to acquire Bethesda Softworks there’s no doubt that Microsoft is hoping for a successful release to justify its investment, and the prominent placement of this ad shows that the company is willing to do everything it can to keepStarfieldin the minds of players.
Starfieldreleases in 2023 for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
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