Starfield Update 1.11.36 went live on May 15, 2024, adding improved surface maps, ship interior decoration and graphics options for Xbox Series X. It is not the game’s newest update: Bethesda later released the free Free Lanes update in April 2026, followed by Update 1.16.244 in June 2026.
What Update 1.11.36 added
Bethesda’s May 15, 2024 update focused on navigation, ship interiors and Xbox Series X display choices. Its three headline features were:
- Improved surface maps: Bethesda said the maps were substantially improved to help players orient themselves and find their way.
- Ship Decoration mode: Players can decorate the interiors of their ships, much as they can decorate Outposts.
- Xbox Series X display settings: Players can prioritize Visuals or Performance, choose a frame-rate target and toggle VSync.
See Bethesda’s Update 1.11.36 notes for the original feature details.
How the Xbox Series X graphics options work
Bethesda’s options apply specifically to Xbox Series X in these notes; they should not be assumed to apply to Series S. The choices depend on the connected display, especially whether it supports 120 Hz and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR).
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| Display setup | Frame-rate targets listed by Bethesda | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| 120 Hz display with VRR | 30, 40, 60 or Uncapped | Bethesda recommends this setup. The game defaults to a 40 fps target when prioritizing full visuals. |
| No 120 Hz VRR setup | 30 or 60 | Bethesda warns that selecting 60 on a non-VRR display may cause screen tearing. |
The two rendering priorities make different tradeoffs. Visuals prioritizes the highest resolution while maintaining detail for special effects, lighting and crowds. Performance lowers internal resolution and detail for those effects, lighting and crowds; Bethesda recommends it with a target of 60 fps or higher. These are descriptions from Bethesda’s notes, not independent performance measurements. You can also toggle VSync in the display settings.
How to customize a ship interior
Ship Decoration mode brings interior decorating to ships, extending the kind of customization available for Outposts. Bethesda’s update notes describe the feature but do not provide a precise menu path or a step-by-step control guide, so the exact interaction details are not established here.
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Is this the latest Starfield update?
No. Update 1.11.36 is the update associated with the new maps, Xbox Series X graphics options and ship decoration, but Bethesda released later updates. The free Free Lanes Update 1.16.236 arrived on April 7, 2026. It added Cruise Mode for travel between planets within a star system, X-Tech, ship and Outpost improvements, the Moon Jumper vehicle, Anchorpoint Station and other additions. Bethesda’s Free Lanes update notes list its contents.
Free Lanes also expands ship life: Bethesda says players can decorate their ship, talk with companions and crew, and use workbenches while in Cruise Mode. Its X-Tech system offers further customization for weapons, gear and ships. The Free Lanes and Terran Armada overview distinguishes the free update from Terran Armada, a separate paid story DLC. Buying that DLC is not presented as a requirement for receiving Free Lanes.
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The latest official patch established by Bethesda’s available notes here is Update 1.16.244, dated June 11, 2026. Bethesda describes it as an all-platform stability and fixes update, including a fix for a freeze during planetary traversal and fixes involving Incursions. Read the Update 1.16.244 notes for details. This is the latest patch established by those dated notes, not a claim that no later patch has been released.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does Update 1.11.36 cost extra?
Update 1.11.36 is a game update, not a separately purchased product. Likewise, Free Lanes is identified by Bethesda as a free update, while Terran Armada is separate paid story DLC. Xbox lists Starfield for Xbox Series X|S on its official product page.
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