Starfield is coming to Xbox Series X and PC in 2023, and we have all the details
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| Starfield (Image credit: Bethesda) |
Starfield will be one of the biggest games of 2023. There's a reason why Bethesda Game Studios' new RPG is already considering among the top impending Xbox Series X games, and it may have something to do with the studio's propensity for releasing some of the best RPGs made. After all, there's a reason we're still talking about The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim a decade on - and Xbox Game Studios will expect to replicate that success here as we're pushed into a sprawling sci-fi setting.
Starfield will apparently leave us allowed to characterize our own destiny out in the stars. And, honestly, everything sounds pretty wild. While Bethesda was somewhat slow to get information out there into the world, and had to delay the game into 2023 to assist with ensuring the quality is kept high, we currently have details on everything. Continue reading to find all that we know on Starfield, from character customization to ship working to combat, crafting, and such a great deal more!
Starfield release date
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| Starfield Wallpaper |
Microsoft Gaming has confirmed that the Starfield release date is set for the first half of 2023. The new RPG was originally scheduled to release on November 11, 2022, although a Starfield delay was announced back in May. At the time, engineer Bethesda said that the Starfield release date had been moved as it wants to achieve its "unbelievable ambitions" for the game, explaining that it wants us to "get the best, most polished version" of the experience.
Starfield platforms
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| Starfield |
Starfield is set to launch as a Xbox Series X console exclusive, and Bethesda has also confirmed that the RPG will launch on PC. This is a result of Microsoft's $7.5 billion acquisition of ZeniMax Media in 2021 - a deal which included Starfield and Elder Scrolls 6 creator Bethesda Game Studios. As with all games released by the Xbox Games Studio aggregate, Starfield will be available for both direct purchase and via Xbox Game Pass/computer Game Pass from the day of its release.
Is Starfield on PS4 or PS5?
While Starfield was announced before the Microsoft Gaming acquisition of Bethesda, the game will still be a Xbox platform exclusive. This means that a Starfield PS4 or PS5 release is impossible. Todd Howard, Bethesda's creative chief, has said that the ability to focus on a smaller number of platforms will "make for a superior item". Uplifting news for Xbox owners, yet it does mean that PlayStation owners can not encounter Starfield.
Starfield reveal trailer
While Starfield was teased at Bethesda's E3 2018 press conference - a temperament piece, more than anything else - we had to wait until the Microsoft and Bethesda Games Showcase 2021 for the Starfield reveal trailer. In the two-minute teaser, we got first details on the story, the world, and a sense of what the new Creation Engine 2 could convey. You can watch the Starfield reveal trailer above, or read our comprehensive Starfield trailer breakdown from E3 2021.
Starfield gameplay trailer
As part of the Microsoft and Bethesda Games Showcase 2022, Bethesda appeared the first Starfield gameplay trailer. In this sprawling 15-minute presentation, Bethesda creative chief Todd Howard walked the world through key elements such as combat, exploration, story, character customization, and such a great deal more. The Starfield gameplay reveal served as a fantastic introduction to the completely open universe Bethesda is working here. You can watch the Starfield gameplay trailer above.
Starfield setting
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| Starfield (Image credit: Bethesda) |
The Starfield setting is one of Bethesda's most ambitious. While the studio is no stranger to building massive, unconditional explorable worlds through the likes of Fallout 4 and The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, Starfield is set across the cosmos itself. 'The Settled Systems', as it's known in-game, is an area that extends outward from our Solar System by approximately 50 light years. As for the amount of this setting we'll have the option to uninhibitedly investigate, Bethesda has confirmed that Starfield will have in excess of 100 systems and 1000 planets.
Starfield story
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| Starfield (Image credit: Bethesda) |
The center Starfield story is particularly a closely-guarded secret, although Bethesda has given out a couple of details. We realize that Starfield takes place in 2330, 20 years after two of the largest factions in The Settled Systems - the Unified Colonies and Freestar Aggregate - engaged in a horrendous Colony War for territorial control. You'll assume the job of an individual from Constellation, an organization of space explorers attempting to navigate what remains of the aftermath - where you go, and who you choose to side with from that point really depends on you. Additionally, Bethesda has confirmed that the Starfield main quest will be 20% greater than Skyrim and Fallout 4.
Starfield gameplay
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| Starfield (Image credit: Bethesda) |
While the Starfield gameplay appears to draw heavily from other popular science-fiction games like Tip top Dangerous and No Man's Sky, at its heart it is still a Bethesda RPG. Assuming you've played any of the studio's Fallout or The Elder Scrolls games you'll understand what that means: vast expanses and settlements to investigate, progression systems that reward you for investing time in the elements of the game that you appreciate, and an overall structure that leverages decision and consequence.
Starfield will also incorporate gameplay elements that are new to Bethesda games, such as flying ships in space, as well as a more considered focus on resource management, crafting and base structure, and real-time combat with firearms. Like Bethesda's previous RPGs, you'll have the option to switch between a first-and third-person perspective voluntarily. For a more detailed breakdown of how Starfield will play, you'll want to read our comprehensive breakdown of the 10 Starfield gameplay features that demonstrate it'll merit the wait.
Starfield ship customization
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| Starfield(Image credit: Bethesda) |
One of the most thrilling new features in Starfield is the ability to clamber into a spaceship and investigate space. You'll have the option to direct your ship uninhibitedly inside systems and engage in ship-to-ship combat, which are two elements of the Starfield experience that Bethesda is quick to dial into. Starfield ship building has been confirmed, enabling you to adjust each aspect of your vessel. From what we've seen of it so far, apparently ships are modular, allowing you to adjust all elements of their design - from the visual placement of the engines and cockpit, to additional considered choices such as how power splits between weapons, shields, and your light-speed travel capabilities.
Starfield crafting and research
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| Starfield Image |
Bethesda has confirmed that the Starfield crafting and research systems are an immense part of the game. Not exclusively can you open mods and gear for your voyager - including the ability to work on your favorite weapons and your space suit - yet you'll also have the option to invest in outpost expansions heavily. At its most basic level, Starfield will allow you to run research projects to expand your crafting options - such as improvements to your jetpack, or new mods to your pistol. To dig further into this side to the game, you'll have the option to use base-building systems similar to those seen in Fallout 4 and Fallout 76 to all the more successfully mine and gather resources - and you can try and assign NPCs to work at these outposts to ensure your research projects are finished with maximum productivity.
Starfield backgrounds
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| starfield backgroud |
Character creation in Starfield will be a period sink. That's valid for just about each Bethesda game, however the studio is really leaning in this time. One vital component of the character creator this time around will be in the Starfield backgrounds and starting skills. Bethesda is really leaning into the pretending aspect of Starfield, so picking an appropriate backstory that reflects the kind of character you want to epitomize will be critical to enhancing your experience - particularly as NPCs may raise your history or proficiencies in conversation and in key story moments.
There have been 16 Starfield backstories revealed so far, one of which you'll have the option to pick during character creation. These range from 'Culinary expert' (which gives you the Gastronomy skill to craft special food and drink, and gain an additional 30 health points with Wellness) to 'Diplomat' (which gives you starting skills such as increased chance of success on speech challenges with Persuasion, and the ability to compel a target NPC beneath your level to stop battling for a period with Diplomacy) to 'Pioneer', 'Abundance Tracker', and beyond.
Starfield skills
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| Starfield skills |
The Starfield skills system appears to be an amalgamation of the systems tracked down in Fallout and The Elder Scrolls. The Starfield skills are split into various tiers, falling under five unique categories: Physical, Social, Combat, Science, and Tech. Earning XP and investing it in the skills that interest you the most - and best serve the sort of character you're building - will only enhance your chosen path. For example, assuming you like to play at range, you should invest in the 'Sniper Certification' in the Combat category, which ensures that scoped weapons are steadier and have less sway.
Interestingly, Bethesda has teased that there's more going on under the surface. Creative chief Todd Howard has noticed that certain categories will see improvements based on your assigned backgrounds and starting skills, and that your chosen skills will work on through consistent use and practice. "You can open new skills as you step up, and then you rank those skills up by using them and finishing challenges," he said during the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase.
Starfield traits
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| starfield traits |
During character creation, you'll have the option to get to-three special modifiers that carry both positive and negative effects. We are aware of 16 Starfield traits so far, and they appear to be optional indulgences that can further enhance the pretending aspects at the heart of the experience or increase the trouble of certain aspects to the game. These traits also seemed flawlessly placed to increase the replayability factor of Starfield, particularly when joined with other elements such as base structure, crafting, and faction alignment.
This is an example of the way these Traits may impact your Starfield playthrough: 'Childish Stuff' means that you can actually visit your in-game parents at their home, although 10% of all your pay will be automatically sent to support them; 'Starter Home' will give you a small house on a peaceful little moon all along, yet you'll have a 50,000 credit mortgage hanging over you with GalBank; while 'Thoughtful person' will give you greater endurance while adventuring alone and less when out with other humans. We also realize that there will be certain Faction and Religion specific Traits which can have various impacts on alignments all through the center Starfield story.
Starfield engine
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| Starfield (Image credit: Bethesda) |
The Starfield engine is confirmed to be the Creation Engine 2. This game engine was engineered alongside Starfield, and is designed to be the new standard for the studio pushing ahead. So while games like The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim and Fallout 4 all shared the same innovation, the Creation Engine 2 has allowed Bethesda to set itself up for further expansion and evolution in this new generation. Creative chief Todd Howard has already confirmed that The Elder Scrolls 6 will expand on what the company has had the option to achieve with Starfield and Creation Engine 2.
Starfield mods
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| Starfield (Image credit: Xbox Game Studios) |
Bethesda has always supported the local area's efforts to adjust its games, and that isn't set to change for Starfield. Despite being created atop another game engine platform, Bethesda has confirmed that Starfield mods will to be sure be supported. We have no further details just yet, although creative chief Todd Howard said the accompanying in a Reddit AMA: "Our plan is to have full mod support like our previous games. Our modding local area has been with us for quite some time. We love what they do and expect to see more make a career out of it."
Is Starfield multiplayer?
Given the ambitious nature of Bethesda's new creation, you may be wondering whether Starfield is single player or some sort of multiplayer component is there. At this moment, apparently Starfield is a single-player experience, something that creative chief Todd Howard spoke to in a meeting back in 2020(opens in new tab). Given the slow iteration of Fallout 76, Bethesda's divisive shared-world Fallout game, it very well may be for the best that Starfield is a focused single-player experience until further notice.
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