Just days after the PS5 launch of Starfield, players are asking for refunds due to frequent crashes, freezes, and glitches that many say make the game unplayable. This information comes from Eurogamer. The backlash highlights a rocky start for Bethesda Game Studios’ space RPG, which launched as an Xbox and PC exclusive back in September 2023.
The PS5 version of Starfield carries a complicated legacy. On Steam, the game holds a mere 56% positive rating from 116,529 reviews, which is classified as “Mixed.” This rating mirrors ongoing player dissatisfaction since its initial release. Unfortunately, the PS5 version seems to be adding to the worries instead of fixing them.
Players are mainly complaining about crashes that send them back to the console’s home screen, freezes that block progress, and serious graphical glitches that disrupt gameplay. Some players have described the community reaction to the launch as “totally unsurprising,” pointing to Bethesda’s history of releasing ambitious but technically flawed open-world games. As of now, the studio hasn’t shared a public patch timeline.
The timing couldn’t be worse for Bethesda Softworks. Currently, Starfield has 30,158 active players on Steam, which shows a notable drop from its peak earlier in 2023. Many viewed the PS5 launch as a chance to expand the player base and improve the game’s reputation. Instead, it seems the opposite is happening during this launch period. At $49.99 on Steam, players who feel let down by the PS5 version have a financial reason to be upset.
Bethesda has a history of patching games post-launch. Titles like Skyrim and Fallout 4 launched with significant bugs that were gradually fixed through updates. However, player patience for this kind of approach has worn thin. Launching a PS5 port in this state, years after the original PC and Xbox release, faces more scrutiny than a typical day-one release would.
| Original PC/Xbox Release | September 6, 2023 |
| Steam Review Score | 56% positive (Mixed) |
| Total Steam Reviews | 116,529 |
| Current Steam Players | 30,158 |
| Metacritic Score | 88 |
| Current Steam Price | $49.99 |
As time goes on, community sentiment on Steam is becoming harsher. One reviewer summed up the experience bluntly: “Repetitive, boring, empty, soulless.” This description has popped up repeatedly in reviews. PS5 players reporting technical issues are reaching that same conclusion quickly, and they’re losing patience.
What To Watch
- Patch response time: The speed at which Bethesda rolls out a stability patch for the PS5 version will show how seriously they’re taking the port. It’ll also indicate if refund pressure leads to action.
- Refund policy outcomes: Sony’s PlayStation Store has a stricter refund policy than Steam. Keep an eye on whether Sony makes exceptions due to the scale of reported technical issues, as this could set an important precedent.
- Steam player trend: If the backlash from PS5 players leads to more negative press, watch whether Starfield’s already declining Steam concurrent player count drops even further in the weeks ahead.
Marcus Webb
Marcus Webb covers esports, competitive gaming, and community stories for Explosion.com. A former semi-professional Counter-Strike player, Marcus transitioned to journalism 5 years ago and has since covered major tournaments including The International, League of Legends Worlds, and the Valorant Champions Tour. He brings a player's perspective to competitive gaming coverage and is known for his data-driven analysis of player performance and meta shifts.
