Even Starfield's community patch modders are growing 'disenchanted' with the sci-fi RPG, as volunteers depart in droves: 'If nobody comes forward, we may have to retire the project'

Close-up of man grinning with a cowboy hat — (Image credit: Tyler C. / Bethesda)

It would be unfair to call Starfield a terrible game, but by now it's safe to say that Bethesda's sci-fi RPG lacks the magic of its earlier games, particularly when compared to Skyrim and Oblivion. Indeed, the fervour around Oblivion Remastered demonstrates much of what Starfield lacks, like the ability to create a distinct, interesting character, and a world with the capacity to produce weird, interesting scenarios.

You don't have to take my word for it either. Since launching in 2023, Starfield has slumped to a 'Mixed' rating of 58% positive reviews on Steam, and now, even its most dedicated fans are growing weary of its po-faced science fiction and bitty, nebulous galaxy. The creators of the Starfield Community Patch, who banded together more than a year before the game launched to unofficially support this latest Bethesda world, are at risk of the project collapsing entirely because its volunteers are fed up with the game.

Astronaut standing on planet with spaceship in background — (Image credit: Bethesda)

Pickysaurus explains his own reason for not tending to the project regularly is that he has adopted a new puppy, and as such he's "only able to spend a few hours a week gaming". But other volunteers have just kinda had enough of Starfield. "Other members of the team have found themselves disenchanted with the game for various reasons—lack of replayability, the paid modding situation, moved on to playing new games, etc."

As such, Pickysaurus says they're "opening up the floor" to anyone wishing to take over leading the project. The role involves bringing together bug fixes contributed by the community and making preparations for new patch releases such as writing the changelog.

Pickysaurus says the role is "a fair amount of work" but if a replacement isn't forthcoming, it may spell the end of the Community Patch: "If nobody comes forward, we may have to retire the project and direct users to Arthmoor's patch going forward."Worth noting, however, that Arthmoor's Unofficial Starfield Patch doesn't look terribly active either: It was last updated in December 2024.

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Rick has been fascinated by PC gaming since he was seven years old, when he used to sneak into his dad's home office for covert sessions of Doom. He grew up on a diet of similarly unsuitable games, with favourites including Quake, Thief, Half-Life and Deus Ex. Between 2013 and 2022, Rick was games editor of Custom PC magazine and associated website bit-tech.net. But he's always kept one foot in freelance games journalism, writing for publications like Edge, Eurogamer, the Guardian and, naturally, PC Gamer. While he'll play anything that can be controlled with a keyboard and mouse, he has a particular passion for first-person shooters and immersive sims.

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