Starfield, the sci-fi RPG from Bethesda Game Studios, is set to be the standout Xbox Series X release of this new generation. The anticipation is well-deserved, considering that it marks the first new intellectual property from Bethesda in two decades. Departing from The Elder Scrolls and Fallout universes, the veteran team is crafting an expansive RPG where players can shape their own destinies among the stars. With thousands of planets to explore, hundreds of star systems to navigate, and a plethora of captivating narratives to discover, players can immerse themselves in a truly vast and captivating universe.
As one of the most eagerly anticipated upcoming Xbox Series X games, Bethesda is gearing up for an avalanche of information. The Starfield Direct event, scheduled for June 11, promises to unveil new gameplay footage and details, building up excitement for the game’s official release on September 6, 2023.
While we await the Starfield Direct, a wealth of information about this forthcoming Bethesda title is already circulating. So, in the meantime, continue reading to catch up on all that we currently know about Starfield.
When will Starfield release date?
Finally, after several delays, Starfield’s official release date has been confirmed for September 6, 2023. Originally planned for November 11, 2022, the highly-anticipated RPG faced initial postponements, pushing its launch into the first half of 2023. However, Bethesda later announced that the release date was further pushed back, ultimately settling on the September window.
In a video message shared by Bethesda to announce the September release date, Todd Howard, the influential figure at the studio, directly addressed the devoted fans. He acknowledged their long wait and expressed that the team shares the same eagerness to present something fresh and exciting. Howard conveyed their anticipation, saying, “Look, we know you’ve waited a long time to play something new from us. And believe it or not, we’re kind of the same. We miss it and we really just can’t wait for you all to play it.”
With this heartfelt message, Bethesda aims to connect with its fanbase and assure them that the wait will be worthwhile when Starfield finally launches in September.
How much will Starfield cost?
With notable players in the gaming industry like Sony, Activision, and Microsoft raising the standard game price to $70 USD, there’s a clear trend towards increased expenses for gamers. Starfield, Bethesda’s upcoming RPG, will also follow suit, maintaining the $70 price tag as the new standard rather than a temporary spike.
Thankfully, Microsoft has a reputation for offering a valuable proposition to its players through Xbox Game Pass. The good news is that Starfield will be no exception, as it has been confirmed that the game will be available on Game Pass from its very launch day. This move by Microsoft provides Game Pass subscribers with the opportunity to access the highly-anticipated title without any additional cost beyond their subscription.
By offering Starfield on Xbox Game Pass from day one, Microsoft is aiming to enhance the appeal of the subscription service, allowing players to enjoy a wide array of AAA hits without breaking the bank on individual game purchases. This approach aligns with Microsoft’s strategy of offering greater value to gamers and increasing the accessibility of top-tier games for its community.
Bethesda’s Starfield Official Gameplay Trailer
Starfield platforms
Indeed, Starfield is gearing up to be an Xbox Series X console exclusive, but fans on PC need not worry, as Bethesda has confirmed that the game will also be available for PC gamers. This inclusivity comes as a direct result of Microsoft’s significant $7.5 billion acquisition of ZeniMax Media in 2021, a deal that included Bethesda Game Studios, the creators of Starfield and the highly-anticipated Elder Scrolls 6.
With this acquisition, Microsoft aims to bolster its gaming ecosystem, and that includes ensuring that its exclusive titles, like Starfield, are available on both Xbox and PC platforms. As part of Xbox Game Studios, Starfield will follow the precedent set by other games from the collective and will be accessible through direct purchase on both platforms. Additionally, Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass subscribers will be delighted to know that they can enjoy Starfield from the day of its release as part of their subscription benefits.
This move highlights Microsoft’s commitment to providing a seamless gaming experience for its fans across different devices, bridging the gap between console and PC gaming and increasing accessibility to their exclusive titles. Gamers on Xbox Series X and PC alike will have the opportunity to embark on their spacefaring adventures in Starfield as soon as it launches.
Is Starfield on PS4 or PS5?
While Starfield was announced before the Microsoft Gaming acquisition of Bethesda, the game will still be an Xbox platform exclusive. This means that a Starfield PS4 or PS5 release is out of the question. Todd Howard, Bethesda’s creative director, has said that the ability to focus on a smaller number of platforms will “make for a better product”. Good news for Xbox owners, but it does mean that PlayStation owners will not be able to experience Starfield.
Bethesda’s Starfield Story
The core narrative of Starfield is shrouded in secrecy, but Bethesda has provided some glimpses into the game’s setting. Set in the year 2330, two decades after a fierce Colony War between the powerful United Colonies and the Freestar Collective in The Settled Systems, the aftermath has left a complex and intriguing universe to explore. As a member of Constellation, an esteemed group of space explorers, players will navigate this post-war era, making their own choices and forging alliances as they see fit. The freedom to decide where to venture and which factions to support promises an open-ended and immersive experience.
Moreover, Bethesda has revealed that the main quest in Starfield will surpass the scale of its renowned titles, Skyrim and Fallout 4, by a significant margin – boasting a 20% increase in size. This indicates a grand and compelling story filled with countless adventures and opportunities.
Overall, Starfield’s narrative and gameplay are poised to deliver a groundbreaking and vast space exploration experience, captivating players with its intricate storytelling and expansive universe.
Starfield gameplay
Starfield’s gameplay exhibits a blend of inspiration from popular science-fiction titles like Elite Dangerous and No Man’s Sky while remaining true to the core Bethesda RPG experience. For those familiar with Bethesda’s renowned Fallout and The Elder Scrolls games, the studio’s signature traits are unmistakable: vast open worlds teeming with settlements and exploration opportunities, a rewarding progression system that values investment in preferred gameplay aspects, and a structure that emphasizes choice and consequence.
However, Starfield introduces fresh elements to the Bethesda RPG formula, setting it apart from their previous titles. Players can now pilot ships in outer space, adding a whole new dimension to the gameplay. Resource management, crafting, and base building will play a more crucial role, elevating the immersive experience. Real-time combat with firearms will offer thrilling and dynamic encounters, providing a diverse range of gameplay options.
Additionally, the game preserves Bethesda’s signature perspective flexibility, enabling players to seamlessly switch between first- and third-person viewpoints at their discretion.
To delve further into the intricacies of Starfield’s gameplay, a comprehensive breakdown of its 10 key features can be found, revealing why the game is undoubtedly worth the anticipation.
Bethesda’s Starfield Setting And Locations
Bethesda’s vision for the Starfield setting is undeniably grand and audacious. Building upon their experience with creating expansive and immersive worlds in titles like Fallout 4 and The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, Starfield takes players on an unprecedented cosmic adventure. Known as ‘The Settled Systems’ within the game, this vast region expands far beyond the boundaries of our Solar System, reaching out approximately 50 light years into the cosmos.
In this sprawling expanse, players will have the freedom to embark on thrilling exploration, charting their own course amidst the countless wonders of the galaxy. Bethesda has confirmed that Starfield will feature more than 100 star systems and an impressive array of over 1000 planets to discover and traverse.
Such a vast and open-ended setting is a hallmark of Bethesda’s RPGs, and Starfield takes this ambition to an entirely new level. The opportunity to explore such a vast cosmic territory offers players an unparalleled and immersive experience, promising an adventure of epic proportions. As spacefarers in the game’s universe, players can look forward to boundless exploration, encounters with diverse civilizations, and uncovering the mysteries that await them in the uncharted regions of ‘The Settled Systems.’
Starfield gameplay info
Starfield's ships and guns are player-customizable
In Starfield, players won’t be limited to preset ships. Instead, they’ll have the freedom to design their entire spacecraft, including its appearance, layout, and performance. The shipbuilding tools allow for placing and customizing individual modules from various manufacturers, each with unique performance attributes.
Likewise, the crafting system extends to space firearms, giving players the ability to modify and personalize their arsenal. The in-game crafting mechanics showcase researchable mods for submachine guns, providing options for customizing barrels, grips, optics, and muzzles. With this level of ship and weapon customization, players can truly make their mark in the vast expanse of space.
Starfield's character creation, skills, and traits
Starfield’s character creation system was initially revealed in 2022 and further expanded upon in the June 2023 Starfield Direct. Players have a plethora of options to customize their space explorer, including templates, body shapes, skin tones, and hairstyles, with a wide range of individual sliders for precise personalization.
During character creation, players will choose a background, defining their character’s history. Background options include combat medic, bouncer, professor, or homesteader, each associated with three starting skills. Familiar Bethesda RPG staples like medicine, lasers, persuasion, and bargaining are among the skill choices.
To add depth to roleplaying, Starfield features a variety of traits, a system familiar to fans of previous Bethesda games. Traits come with both advantages and disadvantages, allowing players to make optional choices for their character. For example, the “Spaced” trait grants increased health and endurance in space but reduces them on the surface. The intriguing aspect is that traits can be resolved through sidequests, meaning players are not permanently locked into their choices.
Several fascinating traits are available, including “Dream Home,” which grants ownership of a luxurious and customizable house on a peaceful planet, but comes with a weekly 50,000 credit mortgage. Another trait called “Hero Worshiped” means that players will have an annoying “Adoring Fan” who shows up randomly, showering them with gifts but cannot be killed permanently, making for an amusing dynamic. Additionally, the “Kid Stuff” trait allows players to have living parents they can visit at home, but 10% of their earnings automatically go to support them.
Starfield’s character creation and trait system offer players a diverse range of choices, encouraging immersive and unique roleplaying experiences as they embark on their spacefaring adventures.
Starfield dialogue and persuasion
Bethesda recently teased the Starfield dialogue and persuasion system, which will give you yet another way to shape this adventure into your own. While you can choose to run and gun your way through the game, you can invest enough XP into obtaining the gift of gab – with Starfield launching into a turn-based minigame as you try to persuade NPCs around to your position. It looks to have a lot in common with similar systems seen in older Bethesda games, like the legendary Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion. Todd Howard has confirmed that Starfield has over four times as much dialogue as Skyrim, so taking the time to converse with NPCs will be a massive part of the experience.
Is Starfield multiplayer?
Amidst the ambitious scope of Bethesda’s highly anticipated creation, Starfield, questions may arise about its gameplay nature – whether it offers a single-player experience or includes some form of multiplayer component. Bethesda has provided clarity on this matter, confirming that Starfield will solely be a single-player adventure. The game will not feature any online multiplayer modes as of the current plans. Therefore, players can expect to embark on their interstellar journey alone, immersing themselves in a captivating single-player RPG experience without the involvement of multiplayer elements.
