Well the updates to Skyrim, Fallout and lack of modding tools for Starfield seems to indicate that it is now a reality. I seriously cannot fathom why they would sabotage themselves like that. It's absolutely obvious since at least Oblivion that mods are lifeline and reason for success of Bethesda rpg games yet here we are.
But the point of Bethesda isn't to sell their games. It's to sell GamePass. Nobody has to play Fallout, they just have to want to play Fallout enough to buy GamePass.
No, not really. After Starfield released mod scene EXPLODED capital letters, there were hundred new mods every day. However, without proper tools 95% of those mods are very simple reskins and modders got burned out and bored on this fast. Now we are 8 months after release with still no tools and that enthusiasm is largely gone. Part of it will still be back, but the best moment to establish a vibrant mod community has passed.