Exploring the Planets of Todd Howard’s Starfield: Only 10% Have Life

Bethesda Game Studios’ highly anticipated game, Starfield, is set to offer players a vast universe to explore. However, the newly appointed creative director, Todd Howard, has clarified that only about 10% of the game’s more than 1000 planets will have any form of life. This decision was made to capture the beauty and loneliness of our real universe.

While this means that a large number of planets will be devoid of life, approximately 100 planets will still feature some kind of life. Howard emphasized that players will have a choice in their exploration. They can visit desolate, lifeless planets to gather resources or explore planets with large cities and settlements that offer progression through the game’s story. The developers aim to generate a sense of expectation and anticipation before players land on a planet.

Despite the generation of many elements in the game, Starfield will contain more handcrafted content than any other game from Bethesda Game Studios, such as Skyrim and Fallout. Howard finds it enticing and beautiful when players land on desolate planets and feel like they are the only ones to have visited them.

Exploration in Starfield will not involve driving vehicles but will instead rely on players’ feet and jetpacks. The jetpack will be upgradeable, providing a similar experience to driving a vehicle. Howard assures players that exploration will be particularly enjoyable on low-gravity planets. Additionally, each location will have a unique radio experience, enhancing the sense of exploration.

However, one feature that will be missing from Starfield is fishing. While some players had hoped for this option to serve as a relaxation activity during space travel, Bethesda has decided not to include it. Nevertheless, Bethesda has a history of adding features to their games post-release, as seen with Skyrim’s fishing added 10 years after its original release.

On the other hand, Starfield will feature romance. The game will offer four full-fledged romantic plots with tasks and plot settings. Players will need to consider the consequences of their actions as companions react to their choices.

In terms of technical aspects, the Xbox Series X/S version of Starfield will be locked at 30 frames per second. Todd Howard explained that this decision was made to ensure consistent gameplay. He believes that the game controls well and looks great thanks to tricks like motion blur and controller response.

Howard confidently stated, “I can honestly say it’s the best game we’ve ever made,” hinting that the performance mode with the option of 60 FPS may not work well in today’s games. However, there are still gamers who prefer higher frame rates, and it remains to be seen how this decision will be received.

Starfield is set to release on September 6th this year for Xbox Series X/S and PC. It will also be available on Game Pass on the same day, offering players easy access to the highly anticipated game.

How does the combination of handcrafted and procedural elements in Starfield contribute to a compelling and immersive gameplay experience for players

S and discover unique artifacts, abandoned structures, or hidden secrets. He wants players to feel the reward of exploration and the connection between the player and the game’s universe.

The decision to limit the presence of life in Starfield was driven by the desire to create an authentic and realistic experience. The team at Bethesda Game Studios wants players to truly appreciate the vastness and emptiness of space, and the feeling of isolation that comes with it. By focusing on a smaller percentage of planets with life, they hope to capture the essence of our own universe and evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity.

However, players won’t be restricted to exploring barren landscapes alone. Starfield will have approximately 100 planets teeming with life, offering a variety of experiences and opportunities for players to engage with. These planets will feature bustling cities, vibrant settlements, and unique ecosystems, contributing to the overall depth and diversity of the game’s universe.

Todd Howard emphasized the importance of player agency in Starfield. Players will have the freedom to choose which planets to explore, whether they seek resources on lifeless worlds or immerse themselves in the narrative-driven environments of inhabited planets. This choice adds depth and replayability, as players can opt for different experiences with each playthrough.

While Starfield may feature procedural generation for some elements, the game will contain a significant amount of handcrafted content. Bethesda Game Studios aims to surpass the level of handcrafted detail present in their previous titles, including Skyrim and Fallout. Howard believes that the combination of handcrafted and procedural elements will create a compelling and immersive experience for players.

In the end, the team at Bethesda Game Studios strives to create a game that captures the beauty, vastness, and potential for discovery present in space exploration. Starfield aims to provide a rich and varied universe for players to explore, with the perfect balance between desolate landscapes and bustling civilizations. Players can expect a game that rewards their curiosity and offers endless possibilities for adventure amidst the stars.