Just shy of the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, Bethesda Softworks has dropped a fresh patch for Starfield-and while it’s not the interstellar expansion fans are hoping for, it’s a clear sign the studio hasn’t left its spacefaring RPG adrift. Patch 1.15.214 landed on May 6, 2025, and focuses on technical upgrades for the Steam beta, with a particular nod to players on ultrawide monitors and the ever-popular Steam Deck.
It’s been a quiet half-year for Starfield updates, prompting some to wonder if the galaxy’s gone cold for good. Instead, Bethesda is fine-tuning the experience for a segment of its dedicated playerbase-those craving smoother performance on less powerful hardware and immersive aspect ratios that fill every inch of massive monitors. This patch is currently exclusive to Steam’s beta branch, requiring a manual opt-in, but the improvements could reach all platforms after testing.
Headlining the patch is support for four new ultrawide and super ultrawide aspect ratios: 32:9, 32:10, 16:10, and 21:9. For players with panoramic displays, this means a more cinematic view of Starfield’s vast planets and bustling outposts. It’s a move that brings the game in line with PC standards seen in titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and No Man’s Sky, which have long catered to hardware enthusiasts.
The patch also introduces a new “Very Low” graphics preset-music to the ears of anyone wielding a Steam Deck or older gaming laptop. Bethesda admits this will “impact image quality,” but the trade-off is a drastically improved and more consistent 30 FPS experience on these constrained devices. While some graphical fidelity is sacrificed, the option opens Starfield’s universe to a broader audience—especially those who prioritize portability or affordability.
Players eager to try these features can join the beta via Steam by right-clicking on Starfield in their library, opening Properties, and opting in under the Beta tab. This gatekeeps the changes for now, but also offers a testing ground before wider rollout—a cautious but player-focused approach that’s become standard for live-service games.
This update is a measured one. While it won’t radically alter the core game or answer every fan wish, it signals Bethesda’s ongoing investment in the title’s technical future. With the Xbox Games Showcase just a month away, hopes remain high for bigger reveals—maybe even those long-promised expansions or gameplay innovations. For now, Starfield’s latest patch is a practical gift for PC tinkerers and Steam Deck voyagers alike, keeping the flame alive as the next chapter approaches.
TL;DR: Starfield’s May 2025 patch (1.15.214) brings new ultrawide aspect ratios and a “Very Low” graphics setting to the Steam beta, improving visuals for panoramic displays and performance on devices like the Steam Deck. The update lands a month ahead of the Xbox Games Showcase, where bigger news is expected.
Source: Bethesda Softworks via GamesPress