Starfield’s space junk was expertly curated by a Skyrim modder

The cosmos in Bethesda’s Starfield contains wonder, adventure, and also a whole lot of junk — literally. In a mission to an abandoned research station, players might go on a trinket-grabbing frenzy, picking up all the mugs, vials, and pills left out in a lab or desk. Space and all its technological wonders are full of random objects. Many of these items were placed there by Starfield developer Emmi “Elianora” Junkkari.

Work on the project before you begin Starfield Junkkari, a former contract worker who specializes in the creation of clutter, has already earned a reputation as one of the best. She developed mods which added beautiful redecorated settings to popular games such as Skyrim is the fifth Elder Scrolls game. You can also find out more about the following: Fallout 4,. Tel Aschan includes a gorgeously cluttered mage’s tower. Skyrim’s Winterhold, a city with no homes available for purchase in the base game, and an army bunker in Fallout 4,. She made a cheese house as well. Skyrim.

Over the years, Bethesda’s games have nearly become synonymous with their modding communities. Games like Skyrim Modders are responsible for everything, from more advanced gameplay to essential quality of life features. But Bethesda’s game development process has also become increasingly entwined with fan labor through programs like Creation Club, which allowed modders to create additional content for Skyrim You can also find out more about the following: Fallout 4,. Bethesda hired Creation Club developers, such as Junkkari for contract work.

Image: Bethesda Game Studios/Bethesda Softworks via Elianora/Nexus Mods

Junkkari, who works in the gaming industry for Polygon, said she didn’t think she could ever make it. She had worked as an IT specialist and in other support positions until she came across a game mod. Skyrim. She published her first book in 2016. Skyrim Mod and went on to release dozens of mods for renovating homes. Skyrim You can also find out more about the following: Fallout 4,. Bethesda eventually invited her to Creation Club where she worked on contract for extra content up until joining Starfield’s development team Lighting artist on contract

“Given my specialization, it’s so easy to jump on board, because you basically know where to find things. And I would talk with the team and I was like, ‘Do we still have this feature that’s in Fallout 4,?’ And they were like, ‘Wait, we had that in Fallout 4, but we don’t have that now?’” she told Polygon via video chat. “I would bring in a new perspective, because I’d already worked on the older titles, and I had had the freedom of modding, because when you make mods, you can do whatever.”

Junkkari developed her modder work into her new role. She created small interiors by hand and used templates to add all of the details. It was a steep learning curve to move from modding to creating the game. ​

“Bethesda doesn’t have static clutter, and that’s sort of my staple. If I’m making player houses, I like to keep everything static because my companion will just barge in, knocking everything down. […] I couldn’t do that with either StarfieldThe Creation Club. You had restrictions such as matching clutter, lighting, and all vanilla styles. The look and feel of the other games must be matched. You can’t just go crazy or do something that modders can.”

Image: Bethesda Game Studios/Bethesda Softworks

Although working as an application developer was more restricting in this specific way, Junkkari also had the chance to fine-tune her skills.

“It’s taught me a lot of new ways to do things, instead of just doing all the same stuff that I always do,” she said. “I am so much better at lighting now. You can see my lighting now. Fallout 4,Before and after working as a Lighting Artist for StarfieldAfter spending time in Starfleet Lighting, I am a much more ambitious person. So you can definitely see an improvement in the way I view everything.”

At time of publication, Junkkari’s contract is up, and she told Polygon she’s working a more “mundane” job. But she still wants to highlight the value of modding to obtain game development experience.

“I want people to really understand that this is a valid and good way to get a head start into the video game industry, right? Working with the tools. Do your part. Finish projects. One of the major things that has pushed the way forward is that I was able to complete things.”