Bethesda has rolled out the highly-anticipated Starfield September update, addressing critical gameplay issues and introducing new features. This update, version 1.14.68, focuses on improving quests, performance, and the ship builder. While many players are thrilled with the enhancements, some have expressed frustration over remaining bugs and the limited availability of the beta. Dive into the full details of this exciting yet polarizing update.
The Starfield September update aims to address numerous issues that have impacted players’ experiences since launch. From graphical improvements to fixing bugs that affect key quests, this update promises to make Starfield smoother and more immersive for its growing community of players. Here’s a closer look at what the latest Starfield update brings to the table.
General Performance and Stability Improvements
With every update, Bethesda focuses on improving Starfield’s overall stability, and update 1.14.68 is no exception. The Starfield September update introduces several general performance enhancements, ensuring fewer crashes and smoother gameplay. Players will notice improvements in stability, especially in high-pressure gameplay moments, like intense space battles and large-scale exploration.
One of the key general fixes included in this update is an issue that previously limited the number of loaded creations to 255. This bug has been resolved, allowing players to experience more content without limitations. This change is particularly important for players who love to dive into the game’s vast array of mods and creations, as it ensures that they can enjoy a broader selection without running into performance issues.
Additionally, Bethesda has enhanced lighting effects throughout the game. These improvements bring more life and realism to Starfield’s world, making space exploration even more visually stunning. Players can expect more consistent lighting in various environments, contributing to a more immersive experience.
Ship Builder Enhancements and Fixes
The ship builder has been one of the most praised features in Starfield, giving players the ability to customize their spacecraft in extensive detail. However, this feature was not without its issues, and the Starfield September update focuses heavily on fixing some of these problems.
One of the biggest changes is the addition of a new toggle option for Flip Merge behavior in the ship builder. This gives players more control over the merging of parts, allowing for more precise customization when building ships. Ship-building enthusiasts will appreciate this option as it makes the process of creating their dream ships smoother and more intuitive.
Several bugs related to ship modifications have also been addressed. For example, a significant issue where ships with live mines could cause the game to crash when modified has been fixed. Additionally, players can now no longer accidentally sell non-sellable ships to vendors, which previously led to confusion and frustration. These changes will undoubtedly enhance the overall experience for players who spend significant time fine-tuning their spacecraft.
Another notable improvement comes in the form of audio fixes. Audio glitches that occurred when deleting a hab from a ship have been resolved, making the ship-building process more seamless. These improvements ensure that players can enjoy both the visual and auditory aspects of the game without encountering disruptive bugs.
Quest Fixes and Progression Enhancements
Quest progression has been a source of frustration for some players, with several key missions being affected by bugs. Bethesda has worked hard to address these issues in the Starfield September update, ensuring that players can progress through the game’s storyline without encountering game-breaking bugs.
One major quest that has been fixed is “In Memoriam.” Previously, players encountered a bug that prevented progression during the “Speak with Sarah” objective, particularly when it occurred near the waterfall. This bug has been resolved, allowing players to complete this important quest without issue.
Another significant fix involves the “One Giant Leap” quest. This quest, which marks a pivotal moment in the storyline, previously had an issue where the incorrect music would play during the Unity Scene. With the latest update, the proper soundtrack will now accompany this critical moment, enhancing the emotional weight of the scene.
Other quests like “Rook Meets King,” “Legacy’s End,” and “Hostile Intelligence” have also seen improvements. Bugs that affected NPC behavior, quest target consistency, and player progression have all been addressed, ensuring smoother gameplay throughout the game’s narrative. These fixes will allow players to experience Starfield’s rich story without being derailed by technical issues.
For combat-focused players, the Leader of the Pack quest has also been improved. The Ashta Alpha will now behave as intended, becoming aggressive during the appropriate stages of the quest. This makes combat encounters more dynamic and in line with player expectations.
Beta Update Participation and Feedback
For those who want to experience the Starfield September update before it’s officially released, Bethesda has provided an easy way to opt into the beta version. Players can access the beta update by following these simple steps:
- Open your Steam library and navigate to Starfield.
- Right-click on Starfield and select Properties.
- In the new properties pop-up window, select Betas.
- In the beta drop-down menu, select [beta].
- Wait for the app to download the new build and launch.
Once the update is installed, players can provide feedback through the official steam beta feedback channel on Bethesda’s Discord server. This feedback will help Bethesda identify any remaining issues and further refine the update before its final release.
Combat and Gameplay Improvements
The Starfield September update also brings several important gameplay enhancements, particularly in combat situations. One of the most notable changes is related to the Annihilator Particle Beam. Previously, this weapon’s damage-over-time effect would unintentionally affect the player’s companions, making certain combat encounters more difficult than they should be. This issue has been fixed, ensuring that companions are no longer harmed by friendly fire from this weapon.
In addition, robots and turrets will now take damage from EM weapons, making them more vulnerable to certain tactics in combat. These changes provide more variety in combat strategies and ensure that players have a broader range of options when taking on different types of enemies.
Several crafting-related bugs have also been addressed, including an issue with the Boom Pop! Dynamite recipe. Players who enjoy crafting will find the process to be smoother and more intuitive with these fixes in place.
Location and Collision Fixes
Players will notice improvements in several in-game locations, thanks to the Starfield September update. For example, a collision issue in Akila Slums has been resolved, ensuring that players can navigate the environment without running into invisible walls. Similarly, minor texture issues that appeared on some panels in the Lair of the Mantis have been fixed.
Other location-specific fixes include the Deserted Biotics Lab, where missing panels on the exterior floor have been restored, and Neon’s Nyx Apartment, where a collision issue with grated panels in Ebbside has been addressed. These fixes enhance the exploration aspect of Starfield, allowing players to move through the game’s environments more freely.
UI and Audio Improvements
The Starfield September update also focuses on improving the game’s user interface and audio systems. For players using the Xbox display settings, an issue where setting the frame rate target to 60 would automatically revert to performance priority has been fixed. Additionally, a debug string that appeared when uploading saves on Xbox to customer service has been removed.
The Skills menu has also been improved, particularly for players using large font mode in certain languages. UI elements, such as location names and quest objectives, have been adjusted to truncate properly on the planet map, ensuring that important information remains visible and accessible to players.
On the audio side, center channel audio usage has been increased for players using surround sound setups. This enhancement ensures that audio is more immersive and balanced during gameplay. Other audio-related bugs, such as the repeated power allocation sound that played when the engine system was damaged, have been fixed.
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