Starfield: Major patch with new gameplay features and improved performance is live

Because it’s not just Nvidia users who get their money’s worth here. There’s even an important change to the gameplay that fans have been calling for since the release of Starfield. Okay, let’s get started, and remember: As always, you can find the complete German patch notes on page 2!

The full DLSS package

Let’s get started with DLSS. If you have an Nvidia graphics card installed in your computer, you can now use the upscaler and free up a lot of performance. Bethesda is not letting its guard down and is including the latest DLSS3, which means that the following features are now available:

• DLSS Super Resolution
• DLSS Frame Generation
• Deep Learning Anti-Aliasing (DLAA)
• Nvidia Reflex Low Latency

What the use of DLSS can bring you, we show you in this video:

Finally more comfortable munching

Fans have been asking for it for a long time, now Bethesda delivers: You can now eat food directly without having to put it in your inventory and take a detour to the menu. From now on, you can choose whether you want to pack the food or eat or drink it straight away

What else does the patch bring? In a nutshell:

• Some performance optimizations, which should have a particular impact on high-end computers
• The game should run more stable
• You should no longer stand out quite so quickly in sneak mode
• A number of quest bugs have been fixed so that you can complete the tasks
• Brightness and contrast are now adjustable
• Under Windows 11 and on the Xbox you can now adjust HDR

How do I install patch 1.8.86? The update should be downloaded and installed automatically from both the Windows Store and Steam. This also applies to the Xbox, of course. So you don’t have to do anything, you can get started right after work.

Starfield – Patch 1.8.86 – Changelog

Update-Highlights

Support for Nvidia DLSS

With this update, we are introducing Nvidia DLSS support for our PC gamers. Compatible Nvidia graphics cards can now use DLSS Super Resolution, Deep Learning Anti-aliasing (DLAA), Nvidia Reflex Low Latency and DLSS Frame Generation.

Let them feed!

By popular demand, food and drinks can now be consumed in-game if you find them in the environment. This means you can eat your chunks immediately or save them for later – whichever you prefer.

Bug fixes and improvements

Performance and stability

-We have fixed a number of memory issues and memory leaks.
-We’ve made some changes to optimize GPU performance, which will be especially noticeable on more powerful graphics cards.
-We have implemented an improved renderer threading model that will improve CPU utilization, especially on more powerful systems.
-Various stability and performance improvements

Gameplay

-It is now possible to consume the food you find in the game world.
-We have adjusted the sneak game mechanics so that they are now forgiving of minor bugs.
-Fixed an issue that caused Andrei’s head to be permanently cloaked.
-Fixed an issue that prevented players from firing their weapons.
-Fixed an issue that caused some NPCs to not wear clothes. (Note: This issue may resolve itself over time)
-Fixed an issue where after reaching allness and starting a new game, progress could no longer be made on skill challenges that had already been started.
-Fixed an issue that could temporarily prevent opening the inventory or saving game saves after entering Allness.
-PC: Fixed an issue that could cause jerky mouse movements.
-Fixed a rare issue that could lead to the loss of the home ship.
-Fixed an issue that could cause the ship maintenance technician to disappear.
-Fixed an issue that could occasionally cause unintended camera judder when traveling, grav-jumping, docking, or transitioning to landing

Graphics

-Fixed an issue that could affect the display of environment occlusion at ultrawide resolutions.
-The initial shader compilation when starting the game has been optimized.
-The display settings menu now has the option to change brightness and contrast.
-There is now an option to adjust HDR brightness if supported by the system. (Xbox and Windows 11 only).
-Adjusted several materials where an unwanted pattern could sometimes occur under certain conditions.
-Fixed various visual issues that could occur with the new FOV slider.
-Improved the appearance of characters’ eyes in crowds.
-Fixed a number of minor visual issues that could occur with lighting, shadows, terrain and vegetation.
-PC: Various additional graphics issues related to DLSS have been fixed

Quests

-Money Makes It Possible: Fixed a rare issue where the character could not sit down during the negotiation with Musgrove.
-Blast Zone: Fixed an issue where the rocks that players are supposed to remove on Ngodup Tate’s property could not be cleared out of the way.
-Echoes of the Past: Fixed an issue that caused the Grylloba Queen to sometimes be unreachable during the “Secure the Shuttle Bay” objective.
-In the Eye of the Storm: Fixed an issue where player quest progress could be blocked due to a missing docking command.
-Routine work: Fixed an issue where progress could be blocked if “Supra et Ultra” was completed upon returning to the Lodge during “A High Price”.
-Quiet Now: Fixed an issue that could cause the entrance to the Scow to no longer open.
-Operation Starseed: Fixed an issue that caused the key required to exit the facility to not be available in some cases.
-Sabotage: Fixed an issue that could cause players to be unable to find David Barron.
-Shortsighted: Fixed an issue that could cause players to become unresponsive when talking to Vladimir in rare cases.
-Heart of Mars: Fixed an issue that could prevent players from extracting the Heart of Mars

What do you think of the new patch for Starfield? Are you happy with the changes? Are you happy about DLSS and the ability to take food and drinks directly to you from now on? Or would you have liked a much bigger update? What problems or missing features should Bethesda definitely address? Let us know in the comments below: