A bug with Starfield’s item system makes your game more likely to crash the longer you play it
Degrading orbits
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
A fascinating yet disappointingStarfieldbug has been discovered, which causes playthroughs to become more unstable the longer they go on.
Initially supported by oursister publication, PC Gamer, several modders have identified a flaw withStarfield’sitem system, which causes save states to become more likely to crash as time goes on.
It all boils down to something called dynamic form IDs. These are strings of data thatStarfielduses to keep track of items in the game. As you move throughthe game’s vast, lonely galaxy, you’ll find yourself moving items around, taking gear off of deceased enemies, and leaving behind unwanted space junk. This creates more dynamic form IDs to keep track of what you’ve done with all your loot. The more there are, the more moving parts your save file has, and, as any coder will tell you, this means there are more ways it can crash.
Were the game working properly, these IDs would recycle themselves every so often, keeping your save file clean. However, for whatever reason, this refresh doesn’t trigger inStarfieldas is, increasing the likelihood of a crash.
There is a temporary solution. If you start a New Game Plus, you can refresh the game world, getting rid of the dynamic form ID bloat built up on your save.
However, it appears that developer Bethesda Studios has identified the issue and is working towards a solution.
“The team is aware that some players have been experiencing increased crashing and instability in the late game. It’s been a high priority, and I’m happy to report that there’s a fix planned to address this for Xbox/MicrosoftStore being included in our next update,” reads the post fromcommunity manager CVH.
Get the best Black Friday deals direct to your inbox, plus news, reviews, and more.
Sign up to be the first to know about unmissable Black Friday deals on top tech, plus get all your favorite TechRadar content.
Though we don’t yet know when this “next update” will be, it’s reassuring to know that the development team is committed to making the fix.
Want more immersive games? Our lists of thebest RPGsand thebest single-player gameshave what you need.
An editor and freelance journalist, Cat Bussell has been writing about video games for more than four years and, frankly, she’s developed a taste for it. As seen on TechRadar, Technopedia, The Gamer, Wargamer, and SUPERJUMP, Cat’s reviews, features, and guides are lovingly curated for your reading pleasure.
A Cambridge graduate, recovering bartender, and Cloud Strife enjoyer, Cat’s foremost mission is to bring you the best coverage she can, whether that’s through helpful guides, even-handed reviews, or thought-provoking features. She’s interviewed indie darlings, triple-A greats, and legendary voice actors, all to help you get closer to the action. When she’s not writing, Cat can be found sticking her neck into a fresh RPG or running yet another Dungeons & Dragons game.
The PS5 Pro’s PSSR upscaling gives multiple games a huge visual upgrade – can it compete with Nvidia’s DLSS 3 successor?
I’m a Nintendo Switch expert, here are the best early Black Friday deals right now
Phishing attacks surge in 2024 as cybercriminals adopt AI tools and multi-channel tactics
