Starfield PS5 Launch Plagued by Crashes, Refunds

The PlayStation 5 version of Bethesda's space exploration RPG Starfield launched last week amid high anticipation, but widespread technical issues have left many players frustrated and seeking refunds from Sony.

The game, originally released in 2023 for PC and Xbox Series X|S, arrived on PS5 on April 7, accompanied by the new Terran Armada expansion that adds a faction with extensive lore and story missions. However, reports from players indicate frequent crashes, freezes, and save file problems that render the game unplayable for some. These issues affect both the standard PS5 and the more powerful PS5 Pro, suggesting they stem from optimization challenges rather than hardware limitations. Players have shared experiences of the game locking up during activities like planetary exploration, ship building, or city traversal, often requiring a full system restart.

One player described the situation as "unplayable," noting crashes every two minutes despite attempts to troubleshoot by deleting saves, switching performance modes, and reinstalling the game. Another reported calling Bethesda's support line and submitting a ticket after exhausting fixes, stating, "I've done every single...