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Starfield reached 13 million players since its September 2023 launch, Bethesda said in its year-end update, calling it “the biggest launch in our history.” That is a record by Bethesda’s own description—not proof of an industry-wide player-count record, copies sold, or a concurrent-player peak.
What record did Starfield set?
In December 2023, Bethesda reported that Starfield had 13 million players since September and described the milestone as the biggest launch in the company’s history. The statement is a cumulative player figure, not a count of copies sold or people playing at the same time. Bethesda did not publish a platform or access-method breakdown with the figure. Bethesda’s year-end update
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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Starfield: Standard Edition - Xbox Series X | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
![Starfield (Standard Edition) [Xbox Series X]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51H0Hjwc50L._SL160_.jpg)
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Starfield (Standard Edition) [Xbox Series X] | $59.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Starfield | Premium Upgrade | Xbox Series X|S & Windows Digital | $34.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The record should be kept within that stated scope: Bethesda called it its biggest launch. The figure does not establish that Starfield set an all-time record across the video-game industry.
When did Starfield launch?
Bethesda said the game was available on Xbox Series X|S and PC on September 1, 2023. Its separate launch details listed September 6 as the general release date. These dates describe the availability announcement and the general launch timing respectively; they are not competing dates for the same milestone. Bethesda’s September 1 announcement and Bethesda’s launch details
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- 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.
Why 13 million players does not mean 13 million sales
Bethesda’s launch materials offered Game Pass access as well as purchase options. A player count can therefore include people accessing the game through a subscription; it cannot be read as a sales total. Bethesda did not say how many of the 13 million played through Game Pass, bought a copy, or used another access route.
An earlier milestone illustrates the distinction: Game Developer reported in September 2023 that Starfield had passed 10 million players in roughly two weeks, while noting that the public figure did not identify how many used Game Pass. That was an earlier reported milestone, not a replacement for Bethesda’s later 13-million year-end figure. Game Developer’s September 2023 report
Rank #2
- 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
How could players access the game?
| Access route | What the cited launch materials establish |
|---|---|
| Physical Xbox Standard Edition | Bethesda said the physical Xbox Standard Edition included a game disc. Bethesda’s edition announcement |
| Game Pass | Bethesda’s launch materials included Game Pass access. The 2023 year-end player total does not break out subscription access. Bethesda’s launch details |
These are different ways to access the game, not a comparison of current prices or value. The cited announcements do not establish today’s pricing or availability.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What Bethesda’s figure leaves unanswered
Bethesda did not explain how it defined a “player,” whether it deduplicated accounts, or how it calculated the 13-million total. It also did not provide a sales total or a breakdown by platform or subscription access. The sound conclusion is therefore limited but meaningful: Bethesda reported 13 million players since September and called Starfield its biggest launch to that point in its own history.
Quick Recap
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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.
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