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Todd Howard discussed Starfield’s upcoming Creation Kit and console mod support in an April 29, 2024 interview, before Bethesda released the free PC editor in June. Shattered Space was a separate story expansion: announced for fall 2024, it launched on September 30. The three developments are connected by Starfield, but they are not the same product or feature.
What did Todd Howard say about Starfield’s Creation Kit?
On April 29, 2024, Howard appeared on Kinda Funny Gamescast for an episode whose listed topics included Starfield’s new Creation Kit and console mod support. GameSpot’s contemporaneous report said both were still coming and that no date had been announced for console mod support. That is a report of the interview, not a verbatim transcript; it should not be read as a release-date promise.
The timing matters: Howard’s remarks came before the Creation Kit became publicly available. The interview listing and GameSpot’s report are documented in GameSpot’s April 29, 2024 coverage.
When did the Starfield Creation Kit come out, and what is it?
Bethesda made the Creation Kit available as a free Steam download on June 9, 2024, describing it as Starfield’s official toolkit. Bethesda’s June 9 update announced the release; Steam’s listing also gives June 9, 2024 as its release date and describes the software as a downloadable editor for creating Starfield Creations and sharing them with players through Bethesda.net.
#1 Best Overall
- Start your journey by customizing your appearance and deciding your Background and Traits
- Venture through the stars and explore more than 1000 planets
- Pilot and command the ship of your dreams.
The Creation Kit is an authoring tool, not an individual mod. Bethesda’s in-game Creations menu is the discovery point for creator-made and Bethesda Game Studios content; the editor is used to make content rather than to browse or play it. Bethesda’s announcement put the two in context, but they serve different purposes.
Is the Creation Kit free, and can you use it on console?
The editor is free to download on Steam, according to Bethesda’s June 2024 announcement. It is a PC toolkit: the stated distribution is through Steam, and its purpose is editing and creating content. It is not a console editing application. Console players’ access to supported community content is a separate matter from running the PC Creation Kit.
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![Starfield (Standard Edition) [Xbox Series X]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51H0Hjwc50L._SL160_.jpg)
- Includes: Starfield Standard Edition (Disc)
- Travel to the stars in this next-gen RPG from the award-winning creators of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4
- Create a character according to your imagination and explore the endless expanses in unparalleled freedom
- The goal of this epic journey? The answer to humanity's greatest question
In April 2024, GameSpot reported that Howard discussed console mod support but that no release date had been announced at that point. That historical statement does not establish the feature’s present availability or current platform rules; consult current Bethesda and platform information for those details.
What is Starfield: Shattered Space?
Shattered Space is a Starfield story expansion centered on House Va’ruun. It is separate from both the Creation Kit and the Creations ecosystem: the expansion is additional authored game content, while the Creation Kit is software for making content.
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- TELL YOUR STORY - In Starfield the most important story is the one you tell with your character. Start your journey by customizing your appearance and deciding your Background and Traits. Will you be an experienced explorer, a charming diplomat, a stealthy cyber runner, or something else entirely? The choice is yours. Decide who you will be and what you will become.
- EXPLORE OUTER SPACE - Venture through the stars and explore more than 1000 planets. Navigate bustling cities, explore dangerous bases, and traverse wild landscapes. Meet and recruit a memorable cast of characters, join in the adventures of various factions, and embark on quests across the Settled Systems. A new story or experience is always waiting to be discovered.
- CAPTAIN THE SHIP OF YOUR DREAMS - Pilot and command the ship of your dreams. Personalize the look of your ship, modify critical systems including weapons and shields, and assign crew members to provide unique bonuses. In deep space you will engage in high-stakes dogfights, encounter random missions, dock at star stations, and even board and commandeer enemy ships to add to your collection.
- DISCOVER, COLLECT, BUILD - Explore planets and discover the fauna, flora, and resources needed to craft everything from medicine and food to equipment and weapons. Build outposts and hire a crew to passively extract materials and establish cargo links to transfer resources between them. Invest these raw materials into research projects to unlock unique crafting recipes.
- LOCK AND LOAD - Space can be a dangerous place. A refined combat system gives you the tools to deal with any situation. Whether you prefer long-range rifles, laser weapons, or demolitions, each weapon type can be modified to complement your playstyle. Zero G environments add a chaotic spectacle to combat, while boost packs give players freedom to maneuver like never before.
Bethesda’s September 27, 2024 launch guide said the expansion would be available September 30. Xbox Wire’s guide, published on September 30, described the release as a new story expansion and explained how to start it. The launch date and starting guidance are in Xbox Wire’s September 30 guide; Bethesda’s preparation and edition information appears in its September 27 launch guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Do you need Starfield to play Shattered Space?
Shattered Space is an expansion for Starfield, so it is additional content for the base game, not a standalone game. Bethesda’s launch guide also described a Digital Premium Upgrade path for Standard Edition owners and listed associated digital bonus content. Because store entitlements and platform terms can change, check the current listing for the platform and edition you own before purchasing; the September 2024 guide documents the launch-era options, not necessarily today’s terms.
Quick Recap
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- Only at Amazon Limited Edition Content - The Rogue Infiltrator Character Pack includes cosmetics for Kay and Nix.
- Discover a galaxy of opportunity. Explore distinct locations with bustling cities and cantinas. Race across sprawling outdoor landscapes on your speeder. Each location brings new adventures, unique challenges, and enticing rewards if you’re willing to take the risk.
- Experience an original scoundrel story. Live the high-stakes lifestyle of an outlaw. Turn any situation to your advantage with Nix by your side: fight with your blaster, overcome enemies with stealth and gadgets, or find the right moments to distract enemies and gain the upper hand.
- Embark on high-stakes missions. Take on high-risk, high-reward missions from the galaxy’s crime syndicates. Steal valuable goods, infiltrate secret locations, and outwit enemies as one of the galaxy’s most wanted. Every choice you make influences your ever-changing reputation.
- Jump into the pilot seat. Pilot your ship, the Trailblazer, as you engage in thrilling dogfights with the Empire and other foes. Find the right opportunities to chase, evade, and attack to get the upper hand.
How the 2024 timeline fits together
| When | Development | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| April 29, 2024 | Howard discussed the coming Creation Kit and console mod support on Kinda Funny Gamescast; GameSpot reported no console-support date had been announced. | Interview remarks preceded the public editor release. |
| June 9, 2024 | Bethesda released Starfield’s official Creation Kit as a free Steam download. | The PC editor was available for creating Starfield Creations. |
| September 27–30, 2024 | Bethesda prepared players for the expansion; Shattered Space became available September 30. | The story expansion followed the earlier fall-window announcement. |
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