Bethesda are not really risk takers. They aren't the type to push to new limits and break new barriers. They most stick to what works for them and slowly progress with each iteration. They aren't also the type to ever consider ever adding sexual content in their games as you would see in Witcher 3. I don't and never will expect them to ever go down that avenue. And I wouldn't want them to either. Their writing isn't very impressive. I couldn't imagine how they would do adding sexual scenes. let alone romantic scenes. I think as long as they continue to release the CK and limit the capability. In other words, if they allow the same amount of capability with the CK as they did for Skyrim, you can certainly expect sexual content by modders. So long as they tools that are needed to created are available.
We will see another Creation Club like shop for Starfield. That is without any doubt a certainty. It's part of their games now since SSE. That is just the unfortunate truth. After the 2015 paid mods backlash they went intro retreat mode to find another way to implement it. Now (since it's inception) there is no backlash. It's here to stay. Will everything be locked and encrypted? I don't think they would go that extreme. Unless they want to have a small team working for them making paid mods that are reliant on console mods, I doubt it. For a long time they have been pushing for two things... 1) paid mods and 2) console mods. They have realized that they have modders that are compliant and will do what they ask of them that is made to benefit them more than it is the mod community. I never let into this game. SSE for free and console mods were never done out of their good will. And that is why I have refused to play on SSE. I won't given into their scheme. I will not contribute to the demise of modding. And I have long since given up that battle. If people want to fall for their BS, then so be it. I will sit back and watch. As for those that don't know, I don't blame them. Skyrim LE was deliberately tucked away making it hard to find to purchase the game because it's clear as day the reason why Bethesda wants new comers to buy SSE or AE. I hope they continue to allow the capability to mod their games like Skyrim, but I'm not holding my breath on it. And as far as everything being locked down and encrypted, I doubt it. I don't think they would go that extreme (yet). But who knows. Maybe I'm wrong. Remain skeptical. Or become a cynical ninja like me.