Bethesda’s year-end post revealed tantalizing details about the upcoming changes and expansions planned for Starfield in 2024, fueling the anticipation of fans of the space RPG.
This update comes after a year marked by significant player engagement, with 1.9 billion planets visited, 26 million hours spent on shipbuilding, and over 18 million battlemeal multipacks consumed.
Starting in February 2024, Starfield players can expect updates approximately every six weeks, introducing fresh features and enhancing the gameplay experience.
Among these are novel travel methods, official mod support, and city maps. However, Bethesda’s announcement intriguingly hints at broader changes beyond these specific features.
One of the most anticipated updates includes “all new gameplay options,” aiming to provide players with more control over their gameplay experience. These options will allow for adjustments in various aspects such as carry capacity, cargo access distance, ship damage, vendor credits, affliction suffering, and new survival mechanics. This level of customization indicates Bethesda’s commitment to creating a more immersive and personally tailored gaming experience.
Survival Mechanics and Planetary Exploration
The mention of “new survival mechanics” has particularly piqued interest. While the post stops short of detailing these mechanics, there is speculation that it might revolve around the use of spacesuits and planetary exploration.
Recalling Todd Howard’s comments from September about the original, more challenging survival systems in Starfield – which were significantly toned down – it’s possible that Bethesda is revisiting this concept.
This could mean a deeper exploration experience requiring specific spacesuits for different planetary conditions like radioactivity or extreme temperatures.
Awaiting the Expansion: Shattered Space
In addition to these gameplay updates, 2024 will also see the release of Starfield’s first expansion, “Shattered Space.” This expansion promises new story content, locations, gear, and much more, aiming to enrich the Starfield universe further.
With the expansion in the pipeline, players can expect a substantial addition to the Starfield narrative and gameplay, potentially opening up new chapters in the game’s universe.
As we look forward to these updates, it’s clear that Bethesda is not just expanding Starfield’s universe but also deepening the player’s engagement with it. These enhancements suggest a blend of innovative gameplay and narrative expansion, set to make Starfield an even more captivating experience in the coming year.
