‘Space is scary’ are the words ringing out from Bethesda HQ in regards to their upcoming DLC. This is accurate too, as collectively we have a real fascination with the deep unknown that expands above us. Space X’s latest spacewalk, which used streamlined suits and equipment highlights two things. Firstly, we as a species are now on a literal precipice of space exploration, and secondly that the tech in Starfield is much closer than you realise. We have talks of venturing to Mars, global cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin unifying and changing how finance works and AI robots, virtually ready to take on your household chores – and no doubt carry some of your unwanted goods.
This, I think, is the reason for Starfield’s success. We are always looking up to the stars, imagining new ways to advance what we have – whether that’s using the latest web3 tech to improve industries or sharp AI to help us achieve the unachievable at a much quicker pace. Starfield bounces off this well, offering a vivid glimpse into what space exploration might be like.
As the latest DLC, Shattered Space, hits the market we thought we might look into some of the forward-looking features of the game and how it compares to the universe we’ve been exploring so far. It’s clear that it aims to look at things with a slightly darker scanner, but the timing is perfect, considering that Halloween is really not far away.
Starfields vision
The first thing you’ll notice in Starfield is that while it is certainly futuristic, it’s very believable at the same time. Even the spaceships have the telling signs of Humanities slow steps of progress. Simple safety signs, big chunky handles and lightweight structures are all well-fitting and effective design choices. They show that even though the game has a foot planted in the future, the other one still rests in the past (ie. our present).
It alludes to failed attempts and successful practices that would inevitably come with space exploration. The suits used by players and NPC are rough, they’re worn and a little cumbersome, again adding to the realism – in fact, the suits used by Space X were even tidier. Vasco, one of the earlier characters you meet also has the ‘rough around the edges’ feel. He’s an old lunar robot that’s been spending the last 40 years helping Constellation with remedial tasks. If anything, he looks outdated even by today’s standards.
There is also a credit system in the game that runs the overall economic system. Where traditional finance methods have obviously become obsolete, a universal credit has replaced global currencies. In this sense, blockchain or crypto-based economic systems would be a great way to enhance Starfield’s gameplay. For instance, a Play-to-Earn model could give players unique tokens for completing missions or discovering new planets.
These tokens would be tradable for in-game assets or real-world value. There’s really no limit here; NFT collectibles could represent rare artefacts, ships, or even entire planets (allowing players to truly own digital assets).
DeFi concepts could also be used for in-game lending and borrowing. Players could take loans for ship upgrades or resource mining operations. Interoperability with other games could allow players to use their Starfield assets in different gaming universes. It’s really quite exciting and certainly fits in with the game’s vision.
The point is that Bethesda has done an incredible job balancing the ideas of what lies ahead with what our current expectations are regarding space travel. While this has been effective so far, the new DLC has big plans to shake this up.
A new city, an old house
Bethesda themselves have said that ‘from the moment you land on Va’ruun’kai, the story never takes you off-planet,’ which gives us an idea of the more immersive experience we can expect, almost as if going back to their roots with Skyrim and Fallout. Where there were concerns about the procedurally generated biomes on Starfield’s worlds becoming tired and overly similar, this new planet (Dazra) offers over 50 hand-crafted locations to explore.
This will no doubt add to the story element of Shattered Space, giving more depth and an option for us to learn more about one location – when it was easy to get distracted in the base game. In the story, we’ll see new creatures, towering city spires, and the Scaled Citadel, all offering a wealth of lore and dialogue.
The story opens up to us finding out the home planet is being engulfed by a catastrophic space anomaly, and it’s up to you (who else?) to save the planet. While this is obviously a fanciful addition to the game, the concept still feeds our desire to know more about the universe and see some of the incredible possibilities that lie before us. We can expect new weapons, different loot, new ship options and of course, new characters.
Not long to wait
Joe Mueller (the Lead Producer) stated that while there’s an ongoing love for ‘Starfield’s massive open galaxy…from early on in our planning, we knew we wanted to introduce a more secluded and handcrafted location.’ This gives us a clear direction of where the team is heading. Starfield is the perfect canvas to build upon for their decade long plans for the game. The first DLC is surely one of many to come, adding far more color and vibrancy.
But what will be consistent, is their handle on the game’s venture into futuristic concepts while maintaining its appreciation of those who are progressing us literally towards a very real Starfield. It’s very likely that they will be taking on technologies such as blockchain, to really cement this. We can only wait in anticipation. Until then though, let’s suit up, and explore the stars.
