Starfield’s Ambitious Scale Is Worrisome

Following years of fervent rumors and speculation, Todd Howard announced Starfield during Bethesda’s E3 2018 conference. Starfield, the first IP created by the studio in more than 25 years, is set to revolutionize science fiction RPGs. It boasts a lot of customization options as well as a large scale. I’m as intrigued by this game as any avid space opera fan. Still, this “unparalleled ambition” worries me.

Sunday’s gameplay footage ended with what Bethesda likely thought was a big bang (pun intended). Players can land anywhere on any planet in any solar system of their choice or, as Howard excitedly put it, “Over 100 systems. There are over 1,000 planets. All open for you to explore.” On cue, the camera zoomed out, revealing countless nodes on an overwhelmingly extensive illustration of the universe. There’s much to do and see in Starfield, but will these experiences have depth?

This isn’t the first time a pitch of this size has overtaken the industry. In 2014, No Man’s Sky confidently showcased seamless interstellar travel, discoverable alien species, and a game world of galactic proportions – I’m talking more than 18 quintillion planets! This proved too complicated for both designers and gamers. The psychedelic color palette was impressive, but as Matt Miller aptly put it, No Man’s Sky was “the most beautiful side mission.” Fast forward almost six years, and Hello Games’ astronomical adventure is going strong with substantial content expansions. 

What does the past reveal about the future of the world? Well, for one, I wouldn’t go so far as to call Starfield “No Man’s Skyrim.” Even though Bethesda’s pedigree is riddled with prestigious awards, I can’t help but imagine those innumerable celestial bodies as uninspired, procedurally generated sandboxes. Open-worlds with compelling primary and secondary narratives have been raised by the Elder Scrolls franchises and Fallout. Starfield continues in the tradition of its predecessors, with exciting mechanics such as crafting, ship/base customization and unlockable abilities. I just hope it won’t also exhibit a quantity-over-quality loop. 

Starfield releases in early 2023, and I can’t wait to take down trigger-happy space pirates, jog around the overgrown cityscape of New Atlantis, and dismantle enemy cruisers along some fiery atmosphere. I’d prefer to keep my escapades within the confines of a single solar system. Although, I might just take Bethesda up on its offer and see what adventures await me beyond Constellation’s reach, even if I wind up flying through an infinitely empty void.