Bethesda today announced the release, scheduled for May 15, of Starfield's May update, the biggest so far that introduces numerous improvements to the game: ranging from free customization of ship interiors to a better display of planet maps to the ability to reconfigure the character in New Game+ and much more, including the much-requested 60fps mode on Xbox Series X!

And that's not all: Bethesda has anticipated that it is also working on the introduction of ground vehicles, which will make it faster and easier to explore the planets on which we will land. But these will only come in a future update.

Here is the list of all the news, together with a trailer in which they are shown to us by the developers.

UP-TO-DATE SURFACE MAPS
Community feedback is a huge source of inspiration for the team at Bethesda Game Studios, and one of the most requested features has been more detailed surface maps, which were included in the latest update. These improved maps introduce surface textures with terrain markings, which, combined with the ability to actually see points of interest on the map, makes it much easier to understand where you are and what's around you.

In addition, new markers have been added in major cities to show the location of vendors, and each of these markers serves as a fast travel point, so you can head directly there quickly and easily from the scanner or surface map.

NEW GAMEPLAY OPTIONS
The new update also introduces a number of new gameplay options, including the ability to increase vendor credits and transport capacity or access your ship's cargo from anywhere through the player's inventory. It is also possible to change some survival characteristics, such as the effects of food and environmental risks. Of course, there are also new combat settings, so if you want, you can make space combat more difficult and firearm combat easier. And if you're looking for a bigger challenge, there's now a new Extreme difficulty, higher than Very Hard.

These settings can be adjusted to allow you to focus on the style of play you like best. Depending on how you balance them, the experience bonuses you earn will change accordingly.

NEW SHIP INTERIOR CUSTOMIZATION TOOLS
In Starfield, your ship is your home. The latest update takes this concept to a new level, expanding the amount of customization of the ship's interior. The system is now very similar to how you decorate outposts. The update also includes new completely blank hab modules, allowing you to start your décor from scratch. This also allows you to play around with the layout of the ship, with multiple openings available for doors.

XBOX SERIES X GRAPHICS SETTINGS
Many have told us that they would like to have more control over graphical fidelity and performance on Xbox, similar to how PC gamers can customize their experience. For each of these options, we highly recommend using a 120Hz variable refresh rate (VRR) screen and checking that your Xbox is set up to use it. If set this way, Starfield now defaults to a frame rate target of 40, maintaining priority for full display.

• Frame rate target: You can now choose between 30, 40, 60, or an unlocked frame rate on VRR displays. If you don't have a 120Hz VRR screen, you'll still be able to choose between 30 and 60. Screen tearing can sometimes occur when selecting 60 on a non-VRR screen.
• Priority: You can now choose the priority between Visual and Performance, trying to maintain the frame rate target. If you choose a frame rate target of 60 or higher, we recommend that you switch to Performance. Prioritizing Visuals keeps the highest resolution, keeping all the details for special effects, lighting, and crowd. Prioritizing Performance reduces internal resolution and detail for special effects, lighting, and crowd. Both modes can dynamically adjust the internal resolution when scenes or action become heavier. When switching between modes, you will notice a brief change in illumination as the system adjusts to the new mode.

TRAIT REASSIGNMENT IN NEW GAME PLUS
Replayability is key in Bethesda Game Studios' games, and in Starfield the universe opens up even more with New Game Plus. Now, after joining Oneness, you will have the ability to change both your appearance and traits. It's another way to choose who you want to be in your new universe.

QUALITY OF LIFE IMPROVEMENTS
In addition to the main features of this update, there are also a ton of quality-of-life improvements, such as the ability to turn off the dialogue camera. Now you will be able to watch the scenes from the perspective of your choice. There are also new tabs in the Deposit and Barter menus, making it easier to see where you're browsing when quickly scrolling through the menus.

THE FUTURE OF STARFIELD
The team isn't slowing down with this update. There are some important features on the horizon, including a ground vehicle for faster planetary exploration, official support for Starfield mods, and the massive Shattered Space expansion. Stay tuned in the coming months for more news on the matter!