
With the release of Starfield now just a few short weeks away, Bethesda is going through an incredibly busy time right now, and head of marketing Pete Hines has urged fans who are requesting more information to remain patient.
Hines initially responded to a fan's question about details on the planned Xbox Series X and S upgrade for Fallout 4 a few days ago, telling them over on Twitter that Starfield is the priority for the time being:
Following this, Hines was asked when the preload will go live for Starfield and when the full game will be announced as having gone "Gold", with Hines urging them to "take a deep breath" and wait a bit longer:
When it comes to Starfield, we obviously haven't got long to wait now. Early access begins on September 1st, so the 125GB preload should be imminent, and an announcement about the game going "Gold" could be dropping any day.
As for Fallout 4, though? That's... not as obvious. We haven't really heard anything about the Xbox Series X|S version since it was announced in October of last year, and to be honest we don't expect to hear much until late in 2023. It's definitely coming at some point, but patience is definitely the name of the game with this one!
What are your thoughts on Hines' commments? Tell us down below.
Comments 52
The clear anxiety is over whether or not Starfield will be the game that restores faith in Xbox as a brand or shutters it. I’m not envious of this team. There’s a tremendous weight on their shoulders. The poise in these responses is quite commendable, given the circumstances.
What's the urgency in a going gold or pre load availability announcement? I like how that person tried to make a connection to cyberpunk like a pre load announcement instead of the chair partnership would have changed the outcome there.
People should be nervous. So far Microsoft has yet to drop any major, AAA, first party wins. Any of their "must plays" have been niche, B to A games like Hi Fi or Pentament.
That coupled with the ever-growing complaints of the Series S being a detriment to Xbox releases as a whole.
But that being said, asking for basic info is hardly being impatient. Many people need preload to be able to play anything at a reasonable time frame since nothing comes fully on disc anymore.
But you know what you need for a preload? For a game to go gold. Given that typically happens a month or like longer before launch, kind of worrisome it still hasn't went gold.
I don't expect it to happen, but I would not be surprised in the least if there was a last minute delay.
I'm perfectly fine with the preload being available 2 or 3 days in advance. It gives us plenty of time to install.
We know what we're doing.

I’m more interested to know if a Day1 patch is needed, and, if so, whether it will be available immediately.
High on Life and Atomic Heart both pre installed but were in dire need of their patch to make them playable.
more mountains out of mole hills
My worry for BGS is that this type of "realistic" science fiction does not have the wide appeal of the more fantasy-oriented fare of Fallout and Elder Scrolls.
With their last major game having been released almost 8 years ago, and this being the launch of an entirely new franchise, I can imagine they are quite busy right now.
Kind of a ***** way to answer.
Hines got 100% more salty after the Acti-Blizz non-exclusive news.
"Patience is definitely the name of the game with this one!"
Describes Xbox as a whole this gen, to be fair.
Next gen port can wait currently finishing my 10th survival run in Fallout 4. Next is Starfield and I don't think I'll have time to play Fallout 4 anytime soon when Starfield drops.
@NEStalgia must have been the wind.
@Tonmoy Man, you really like Fallout 4 😄
People are idiots.
I think Bethesda really needs to expand their workforce by quite a bit. With each game getting bigger and bigger, more complex, and more intricate to develop, it's gonna be about a 15-20 year wait between each franchise entry at this rate. I usually don't mind waiting for a game to be properly made, but best case scenario is that I'm quite literally gonna be playing Fallout 6 in a freakin nursing home at this rate.
The last game they published was Redfall, and that had a disastrous launch that made them look like fools; and the last game they made in house that they released was Fallout 76 which had a disastrous launch that made them look like fools.
So yeah I'm not confident they know what they're doing honestly.
@Fenbops Yes the game has so many inconsistencies and issues but I love the commonwealth. I think Preston is calling me another settlement needs my help.
Pre-load will properly be a few days before release right? That's how it usually is.
Douchey response, especially considering that we are their boss. I might fire this guy. Not sure yet. We'll see. For me, Starfield has to be GOTY level. I mean, it has to be so good that some will consider it the best video game ever made. Sorry, but that's where I'm at.
I get that they are under quite a lot of pressure at the moment and he's probably fed up of being bombarded with such questions, but his responses come across as really rude and arrogant.
I didn't take his comment as rude but I did take it as very confident. I do hope that confidence is warranted. I have high hopes for Starfield.
Maybe save the confidence for after a smooth launch.
Weirdly sassy.
Can't say I envy Bethesda's position right now - Microsoft is entirely relying on them this year aside from Forza, and it's very boom or bust. Even the Activision buyout won't impact the company as much as Starfield will, because by the time the changes start taking place it'll be late in the year.
Does anyone know how early access works with pre-installing, considering I won't get the code with my Constellation Edition until I get my delivery? Can I download the 125gb game via Game Pass and then enter the code for instant access when I get it?
He's been like this since the FTC trial. 💢
@shoeses
I think every console vendor relies on certain studios yearly. PS is relying on Insomniac as their first party has been dry this year as well.
There is always a ton of pressure on first party studios to deliver great games.
@InterceptorAlpha This concept of Xbox having no AAA games come out is nonsense. Meanwhile Playstation has literally nothing past spiderman-2 going on. Review codes just went out so the game is definitly not slipping. The concept of "going gold" is old. The disc doesnt' even matter anymore so that isn't a good perspective of when a game is officially "done."
Like just wait. Do people have nothing else going on in their lives? I get being excited but some people wander into obnoxious territory.
Ye it's looks like they know what they doing releasing a game at 30 fps no performance mode doesn't look good at all plus look what happened to redfall obviously shocking game
@Grippie xbox has a few put playstation destroys it on exclusives the future does look bright for Microsoft exclusives though
@Kaloudz He's pretty rude with his wording. That's usually not a good sign. And the game has not gone gold (unless it has and they are just not telling us, which is strange).
Lets hope game designers will slowly stop the guinea pigging of gamers. Using us to test out games and then taking the data they get back and then using that to fix the game, no, just fix the goddamn game in the first place and if it takes another year or two years then just fkin do it, No Mans Sky had a bunch of delays and thats one of my favorite space exploration games Ive ever played. Waiting is worth it, but when these studios decide the opposite to release asap then thats what we get, subpar games with crappy first time memories, this is the thing studios ignore entirely and act like it doesn't exist, first impressions. First impressions of anything or anyone is a huge thing. If the first impressions is this game is broken wtf do you all expect from us as gamers? You guys completely fail at launch and then expect utmost loyalty and dedication to a series thats half done on launch. I speak for ALOT of games when I say this, the entire September release for gamepass is basically this kind of gamble. Either were going to get complete ready to go games or we get a game still technically in testing phases but with enough playability that it's somewhat enjoyable. Somewhat with heavy emphasis.
Politicians and company staff saying things on Twotter are the best.
@Grippie
Playstation has literally nothing past spiderman-2 going on.
God of War Ragnarok
Gran Turismo 7(which Forza looks inferior to despite not being out yet)
Horizon Forbidden West
Miles Morales.
And these are just a couple of the first parties. Any one of which stands out above anything we've received from Microsoft.
Now when you bring in third party exclusives you get thing like Final Fantasy XVI and the amazing Demons Souls remake.
And if course as you pointed out Spider-Man 2. Which is pretty much given to be a banger. Whereas there's not a single Microsoft game coming up that people should be worried about considering their consisted mediocre to poor releases this year.
On the flipside Microsoft couldn't even release their flagship title, Halo, as a good game. And even today it has tons of issues.
I'm not sure why people like you so blindly bend over for a company. I have two Series Xs and I will call out Microsoft where I see fit for making my investment seemingly a waste.
I mean, they can't even keep up on the hardware side with their controllers lacking something as simple as a gyro. Meanwhile Sony has used them since the PS3 and Nintendo since the Wii. Even my Steam controller has one. And even phones had them earlier. They're also integral to VR. It is obvious they have their benefits. What isn't obvious is my Microsoft is content on sticking to the stone ages of controller inputs.
@Dan1283 that’s the problem. PlayStation was killing it with exclusives but they have nothing coming besides Spider-Man. Wolverine is so far away. What else is there. Meanwhile Xbox has outlined so many games coming through 2024.
@InterceptorAlpha thanks for proving my point. You outlined a bunch of cross gen games that already came out. Speaking of blindly defending a corporation. I have all the systems but the ps5 is gathering dust because nothing has come out (besides the aforementioned FF16) to be excited about.
And really? Ps5 copied the Xbox shape for their new controller and you can keep the haptics and gyro gimmicks. Does anyone even like that crap? What games even use motion controls well?
@Grippie I proved your point? I'm sorry but you'll need to do better than that. Where are any of Xbox's equivalents? I'll wait.
I'm guessing you've not held a PS5 controller despite your claims. Especially due to your comment on the gyros. The PS5 controller however, feels completely different. Though I'd forgive a fan boy for not having used one before.
As far as gyro, yes, pretty much every game can use it. And it is especially handy for playing shooters since it is infinitely more accurate than strictly aiming with thumbsticks.
For example even playing something as ancient as Battlefield 4 on PC, if you use a regular controller mouse and keyboard will destroy you all day long. However, with the use of a gyro you can play nearly as well. And don't even get me started on how great it is for flying. Please educate yourself before decrying something you have no experience with.
@Grippie the futures looking good for xbox
People need to relax, there will be no delay, and I'm sure that there will be more than enough time to to pre-install the game before release. Developers seems confident that the game will at least meet high expectations. I still not sure if I should buy the upgrade, but I'm leaning towards saving that money to purchase Diablo IV or BG3 on Mac.
@InterceptorAlpha how old are you man? You are such a pony in an Xbox website. Never held a ps5 controller? I platinumed ghost of Tsushima which is one of the best games ever. You lost me thinking you can keep up with mouse and keyboard using gyro. What in the hell? No self respecting shooter player uses gyro for aiming. But cool I’ll let you go. You probably need to get ready to start 8th grade here soon.
"Dunno if you heard but we are shipping a new game in 3 weeks. Bit of a priority. When we have an update, we will share it."
Bit of a needlessly snarky reply from Hines to Fallout 4 update query.
The tone of question didn't warrant it.
@InterceptorAlpha I've said the Series S is an incredible detriment to Xbox this gen for years now. But I get insulted every time from the Series S fanboys. Even though it's almost weekly developers chastise the Series S due to its limitations.
I really want Xbox to find a dedicated studio for Fallout games. Tired on waiting on Bethesda and "it just works" guy.
@somnambulance at the very least they seem confident. Let's put a big W up on that board team green
@Reptilio That’s what I’m saying! I’m hoping we’ve got a legitimate battle for Baldur’s Gate vs Starfield. I want the 6th to be a day of difficult choices. Lol.
@somnambulance I mean most will play starfield and pick up bg3 cheaper at a later date (my plan) unless starfield releases I’m a rather unlikely terrible state.
But other than that they are totally different games and can’t really be compared
@PsBoxSwitchOwner The comparison point is that they release on consoles the same day. I’ve got ‘em both preordered myself, so the struggle is real already!
@Grippie Rise of Ronin and Stellar Blade are ones to watch if you have a PS5 in 2024.
"We know what we're doing"
Yet, they released Fallout 76.
Mic drop.
@InterceptorAlpha Gotta admit the PS5 controller certainly feels better than the PS4, but the Xbox controller is definitely top dog for comfort. Probably why it won all kinds of awards for best controller.
@Romans12 A little more comfortable? Sure. Abut it also is less functional.
And enough to make me stop using the Xbox controller for everything except Xbox use. Whereas prior it was used for my PC and phone.
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