Xbox's Starfield gets that sweet new REV-8 rover update today, and oh yeah — the Shattered Space DLC's release date, too

What you need to know

• During Gamescom 2024's Opening Night Live show, Starfield developer Bethesda revealed that a new free REV-8 space rover DLC is coming to the game today.
• This DLC gives players access to the long-awaited space rover vehicle. The rover's all-terrain design, high speed, vertical rocket boosters, and roof-mounted gauss cannon make it a versatile and reliable vehicle whether you're exploring or getting into a fight.
• The trailer for the rover also revealed the official release date for Starfield's Shattered Space expansion, which is now scheduled to launch next month on September 30.
• Compared to Starfield's overall emphasis on exploring the far reaches of the universe, Shattered Space will feature a deeper, more thorough adventure on the planet Va'ruun'kai and focus on the mysterious House Va'ruun faction.

Surprise! That cool new space rover we've seen teased in various Starfield developer deep dives is finally here, coming to the Xbox and Windows PC space exploration RPG today in a free DLC update. Its imminent arrival was announced during the Gamescom 2024 Opening Night Live show, with the update getting a special trailer that shows off the rover and its capabilities.

You can watch that trailer here or with the embed below. It reveals that the rover is officially called the REV-8, and shows its rugged all-terrain design, high speed, and ability to rocket boost upwards to add extra height to jumps or reach parts of the environment that would be inaccessible otherwise. It even has some sort of gauss cannon mounted to the top, giving players the ability to effectively combat hostile alien fauna, space bandits, and other threats.

Notably, the end of the trailer sneaks in the official release date for Starfield's highly anticipated Shattered Space DLC, which hasn't been revealed until now. The expansion is scheduled to come out in just over a month on September 30, 2024, and like Starfield itself, will be made available on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC through both Steam and the Microsoft Store. Unlike base Starfield, though, you won't be able to access it through Xbox Game Pass , and will need to buy it separately unless you bought the Premium Edition.

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While Starfield emphasizes exploring multiple worlds over the course of a playthrough, Shattered Space will instead primarily focus on a deeper adventure on the planet Va'ruun'kai. Not many granular specifics are known about the gameplay and narrative at the moment, but we do know that the expansion will focus on the enigmatic interstellar government House Va'ruun and that it will feature new planets, enemies, bosses, weapons, armor, and more.

It's exciting to know that Shattered Space is so close, and given that one of my biggest issues with Starfield is its lack of depth, I'm looking forward to checking out a DLC that dives into a new part of the universe more thoroughly. And hey, if nothing else, Shattered Space will surely give me the opportunity to make good use of the REV-8.

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Speaking of the REV-8, it's great to see Starfield finally get a space rover. Players have been asking for one since the game launched in 2023, as the game's open world spaces are quite large and open (and, you know, having a rover is important for the space exploration vibes). If the rover is anything like Starfield's space ships, you also may be able to customize it extensively, though we won't know for sure until the REV-8 actually drops later "tonight." To get yours, Bethesda says you'll simply need to speak with a ship services technician in any of Starfield's major cities.

Starfield's new REV-8 space rover DLC is free and will be available on Xbox and Windows PC shortly, while its Shattered Space expansion is coming next month on September 30, 2024. Its price hasn't been announced yet, though all players who own the Premium Edition of Starfield or purchase the Premium Edition Upgrade will be able to access it.

Starfield Premium Edition | $93.59 at CDKeys (Xbox, PC)

The Premium Edition of Starfield costs $100 and includes the base game, along with access to the Shattered Space Story Expansion (when it releases), a Constellation Skin Pack, and access to a Starfield Digital Art Book and its Official Soundtrack.

Also see: Premium Edition (CDKeys, $67.59, Steam) | Premium Edition Upgrade (CDKeys, $24.69, Xbox, PC) | Premium Edition Upgrade (CDKeys, $28.59, Steam)