Even before the official release, Starfield is getting its first update, which mainly contains bug fixes and performance improvements.
Before the Early Access starts tomorrow, Starfield already gets a first patch. Update 1.7.22 provides performance improvements and fixes some bugs, furthermore there is good news for all Steam Deck owners. All information and the complete patch notes can be found here!
Have you already downloaded Starfield via preload, or did you wait until the release of our review before deciding whether or not to buy it? What will you do first when you finally get into your spaceship? And do you want to play Starfield on a handheld? Feel free to let us know in the comments!
What’s in the Day One Patch?
Though there is no new content in the first update, the update will ensure that you have a more pleasant experience right from the start:
- Miscellaneous crash causes have been fixed.
- General stability and performance have been improved.
- Many graphics, gameplay and quest bugs have been fixed.
Technically, Starfield is already a pretty well-rounded game even without the first patch, as we discover in our technology check . In addition, there are also some improvements in the new update that should have an impact on the gaming experience:
- Graphics: Starfield already looked impressive in trailers, and now there are even smaller graphics improvements for the release. For example, distant objects on planets now look better. Texture transitions near the coast have also been improved.
- Steam Deck: Although it is not yet known whether Starfield will be verified for the Steam Deck at release, there are already first improvements for the handheld with the update, namely a virtual keyboard. According to the patch notes, Starfield should run on the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, but there may be performance problems.
Table of Contents
New functions
- Virtual Steam Deck Keyboard (Steam).
Note: Starfield runs on both Steam Deck and ROG Ally with the correct drivers. However, the hardware falls below the recommended minimum requirements, which may affect performance.
Corrections for improved performance and stability
- Improved stability when pausing and resuming the game. (Xbox Series X|S)
- Fixed an issue that could cause the game to crash in rare cases when viewing credits after completing the game.
- Fixed an issue that could cause the game to crash when repeatedly loading saves within ships.
- Miscellaneous stability and performance improvements.
Graphical corrections
- Fixed an issue that prevented character hair from being displayed in some cases.
- Improved the display of distant objects when transitioning to the surface of a planet.
- Fixed an issue that could cause abrupt facial movements in some cases.
- Fixed an issue that caused white flashing boxes to appear in the handheld scanner in rare cases on certain views.
- Fixed an issue that caused unsightly texture blending near the coastline.
- Fixed an issue that caused unnecessary texture degradation. (Xbox Series S)
Gameplay Corrections
- Fixed a rare issue causing companions to float in the air.
- Fixed an issue where certain ship modules were misaligned.
- Fixed an issue that could prevent touchdown points from turning red in the ship builder.
- Fixed an issue that could cause the player character to not display correctly when equipping items.
- Fixed an issue that could prevent the Isolation skill from working as intended.
- Adjusted the distance the player character can access their ship’s cargo or store cargo.
- Fixed an issue that caused a long delay on the “Press any key to start” screen in some cases.
Quest corrections
- Fixed a rare issue that prevented ship patrols from appearing in the quest “In battle as in death, the First comes first”.
- Fixed a rare issue that could prevent the smuggling scan from working, potentially making landing in New Atlantis impossible.
- Fixed an extremely rare issue that could prevent landing in New Atlantis during the Undercover mission.
- Fixed an issue that could prevent Thermoparasite kills from being counted after completing “The Forged Legacy”.
- Fixed an issue with a location appearing near a Hidden Earth landmark.
- Fixed a rare issue that could trap the player character in “The Facility”.
- Fixed a rare issue that could prevent a Spacer ship from appearing as intended during a Radiant quest.
- Fixed an extremely rare issue that could occur with certain player character behaviour towards the Envoy in the “Revelation” quest.
- Fixed an issue that could occur with the lower Deimos Slim ship module used on the Razorleaf.
- Fixed a rare issue that could prevent companions from accompanying the player character after “Take it easy now”.
- Fixed a rare issue that could affect “Power from Beyond”.
