Starfield will be the least buggy Bethesda game ever, QA sources say

Starfield, the highly anticipated game from Bethesda, has been a topic of discussion for many, especially concerning its quality assurance (QA) and potential bugs. Bethesda games have historically been known for their bugs, which have often been the subject of memes and jokes within the gaming community. However, with Starfield, there seems to be a shift in this narrative.

The QA protocol for Starfield appears to have been rigorous, with the aim of ensuring that the game is as polished as possible upon release. This dedication to quality is evident from the feedback of those who have had early access to the game. Journalist Tyler McVicker, despite being under an embargo, shared his experience on Discord, stating that he encountered “not a single bug” after 15 hours of gameplay. Such feedback is promising and indicates that Bethesda has taken quality assurance seriously for Starfield.

To further validate this claim, Tom Henderson from Insider Gaming reached out to various individuals who work in QA and have been testing Starfield. These individuals, who wished to remain anonymous due to the embargo, echoed McVicker’s sentiments. Out of the five individuals he spoke to, all reported encountering minimal bugs, with most mentioning only one or two minor issues. Moreover, it was mentioned that the few bugs that were identified are set to be addressed in the Starfield Day 1 patch.

While these opinions are based on a limited number of players, the consistent positive feedback is a strong indicator of the game’s quality. Matt Booty, the head of Microsoft Game Studios, also weighed in on the topic during a Giant Bomb stream. He mentioned that based on the current bug counts, if Starfield were to be released immediately, it would have the fewest bugs of any Bethesda game ever. This is a bold claim, but the feedback from early players seems to support it.

“Working with Todd and the team, I see bug counts and, just by the numbers, if it shipped today, this would have the fewest bugs any Bethesda game ever shipped with.“

Matt Booty

It’s essential to note that no game is entirely free of bugs. However, the emphasis on QA for Starfield suggests that players can expect a smoother experience compared to previous Bethesda releases. The game’s release is just around the corner, and it will be interesting to see if the public’s perception aligns with the early feedback.

While it’s too early to make a definitive statement, the initial signs are promising. Starfield might just be the least buggy Bethesda release ever, marking a significant step forward for the studio.