Support NeoGAF

[kingfey]

Starfield developers aiming for a game with a "vision of a future that’s grounded in reality"

When it came to developing Starfield, Bethesda Game Studios had a specific vision in mind, and that vision is something…

www.vg247.com

When starting development on Starfield, Bethesda Game Studios had a specific vision in mind, and that vision is something called NASA-Punk.
Speaking with Xbox Wire, the game's lead artist Istvan Pely said when trying to establish an artistic vision for the game, the team wanted a realistic take. And one that was "believable and relatable."
“Early on in this project when we were trying to establish the overall aesthetic of this game, we sort of coined the term ‘NASA-Punk’ to describe a sci-fi universe that’s a little more grounded and relatable,” said Pely.

“We wanted a very realistic take. You can draw a line from current-day space technology and extrapolate from there into the future so it’s believable and relatable.”

“What’s really interesting is how much we all latched onto that concept,” added lead animator Rick Vicens. “When you said NASA-Punk, the Art team could instantly take those two words and make them work. It was just the perfect term for our art direction and keeping everyone in the same flow and working with a consistent style. For me, it just clicked. At the start of the project, I think that term was critical for us.”
Sounds groovy.

If you are unfamiliar with the backstory for RPG, it is said to be set hundreds of years in the future and covers what humanity can do once it breaks free of the confines of the earth. It is the first new universe in 25 years from Bethesda Game Studios, and allows you to create any character you want and allows you to explore the game with lots of freedom as you strive to answer humanity’s greatest mystery.

Set in the year 2330, the game will feature three factions to interact with, and the focus of the game is on the Colony War waged in 2310 between the Freestar Collective and the United Colonies. Currently, peace prevails, but the uneasiness between the two factions may boil over. As far as enemies go, expect plenty of human threats out there including, pirates, mercenaries, spacers, and fanatical religious zealots.

One of our most anticipated games of 2022, Starfield is set to release on PC and Xbox Series X/S on November 11. It will also be available on day one through Xbox Game Pass.

 

[Vangellis]

Sounds great, love the realism take on this. One of the reasons I enjoyed the Expanse was how the ships weren't too over the top, and followed how things actually work in space. Sounds like it might be a little like that.

 

[Arenafighter]

This game might turn out great, but all I see is a lot of talk. We've got some teaser images but nothing gameplay related.

Also, why doesn't it have a release date on playstation, I was told here that Bethesda games had to be released there to get their money back.

Wait for Xbox Showcase in June or July.
They will close the Event with Gameplay from Starfield.

 

[Ezquimacore]

This game might turn out great, but all I see is a lot of talk. We've got some teaser images but nothing gameplay related.

Also, why doesn't it have a release date on playstation, I was told here that Bethesda games had to be released there to get their money back.

Because they will do what they did with fallout 4, conference at e3 and then the game out a few months later.

 

[Magic Carpet]

NASA Punk.
Cost overruns and delays that last a decade.
Will take forever to launch your character anywhere and you will have to pay through the nose to do something that humanity could do 60 years prior with less tech.

 

[The_Mike]

Because they will do what they did with fallout 4, conference at e3 and then the game out a few months later.

What does fallout 4 have to do with anything Microsoft didn't own the studio 8 years ago.

 

[ParaSeoul]

This game might turn out great, but all I see is a lot of talk. We've got some teaser images but nothing gameplay related.

Also, why doesn't it have a release date on playstation, I was told here that Bethesda games had to be released there to get their money back.

 

[speckz]

I want to believe, but there is no way this will be ready in 2022, not without any issues on release.

 

[ParaSeoul]

Could never get into any Bethesda game

 

[kingfey]

What does fallout 4 have to do with anything Microsoft didn't own the studio 8 years ago.

that is how bethesda operates.

 

[EviLore]

As far as enemies go, expect plenty of human threats out there including, pirates, mercenaries, spacers, and fanatical religious zealots.

All of whom you'll meet in nondescript labyrinthian caves.

 

[Shubh_C63]

Its difficult to mash up mechanics and make it 'fun' when you're going for realism, so this is a tall order given the hype we have.
but I'll play any AAA space rpg, except starcitizen.

 

[Hobbygaming]

"Skyrim in space" has been the only interesting thing I've read about this game so far

Everything else just seems kinda unexciting

 

[Shrap]

Bethesda and grounded in reality don't go together. Looking foward to this quote being plastered over a video of a space troll uppercutting the player into orbit.

 

[mortal]

I just want to see real gameplay at this point.

 

[Bartski]

 

[Boss Mog]

Here's a "reality" for you: The game is a little over 8 months from release and not a single shred of gameplay has been shown.

 

[Riky]

Building up the hype nice and steadily to a big reveal in summer, this is going to be the biggest release in years, can't wait to see it.

 

[Zeroing]

Building up the hype nice and steadily to a big reveal in summer, this is going to be the biggest release in years, can't wait to see it.

LOL I admire your optimism

Here's a "reality" for you: The game is a little over 8 months from release and not a single shred of gameplay has been shown.

it is true.

 

[kingfey]

Here's a "reality" for you: The game is a little over 8 months from release and not a single shred of gameplay has been shown.

Bethesda operates in that matter. They usually show the gameplay in the e3.
Build up the suspense in the process.

Too much gameplay would make players lose interest of the game.

 

[Loke]

Can't wait for the jank.

 

[CheeseCake]

Building up the hype nice and steadily to a big reveal in summer, this is going to be the biggest release in years, can't wait to see it.

With 16x times the detail

 

[Punished Miku]

Makes sense, and a cool insight into the design philosophy.

You can tell they have some 70s inspiration as well with the color schemes they've picked in the logos, and the 70s style painted artwork. Kind of a stylistic 70s, Carl Sagan-ish romanticized gritty realism sci-fi. Not that far off what other great 70s sci-fi goes for. Like a hybrid between Star Wars and Star Trek.

 

[Chukhopops]

Here's a "reality" for you: The game is a little over 8 months from release and not a single shred of gameplay has been shown.

Skyrim reveal trailer: December 2010 with no gameplay
Skyrim release date: November 2011

Relax, it’s gonna be fine.

 

[Tomeru]

No matter the bugs or the animations, its going to be the goty. Probably.

 

[Punished Miku]

Skyrim reveal trailer: December 2010 with no gameplay
Skyrim release date: November 2011

Relax, it’s gonna be fine.

The best news about this game is the setting perfectly fits the studios capabilities. They're not the most cutting edge in terms of Naughty Dog level animations or action gameplay.

Can they make a big rpg with slow moving astronauts, exploration and guns? Yeah, they can.

 

[Fbh]

On the one hand the concept sounds great. As much as I like Mass Effect and Star wars with their space fantasy stuff, a more grounded and realistic sci fi approach is nice for a change.

On the other hand IMO realism in gameplay always sucks. Real space travel and space exploration is slow and tedious.

Hopefully they find a nice balance between realistic setting and enjoyable "gamified" gameplay

 

[Badlucktroll]

I am excited for Starfield. But just watch this be all messed up like Cyberpunk or Fallout 76.

 

[Chukhopops]

The best news about this game is the setting perfectly fits the studios capabilities. They're not the most cutting edge in terms of Naughty Dog level animations or action gameplay.

Can they make a big rpg with slow moving astronauts, exploration and guns? Yeah, they can.

I don’t think it’s fair to compare the scope of ND games and Bethesda games, the studios do VERY different games.

I think the exploration aspect is what makes me excited, I want to get some mind blowing vistas from space and I’m confident I’ll get them.

 

[Stuart360]

As long as it doesnt go RDR2 level of realism, i'm good.

 

[Sosokrates]

Im guessing it has interstellar travel.

I do hope travelling to other planets is not superquick, so you can walk about your ship and do other tasks while in light speed to another solar system.

Even at light speed it takes 4.6hrs to get from earth to pluto, but of course for a video game it will be greatly shoterned.

Of course fast travel or sleep will probably an option, but I actually like travelling in games, especially on my first play through.
In a game like starfield I would not be surprised if random things appear on sensors when travelling

 

[Men_in_Boxes]

Any ideas if it's 1st person or 3rd person?

 

[DaGwaphics]

NASA Punk.
Cost overruns and delays that last a decade.
Will take forever to launch your character anywhere and you will have to pay through the nose to do something that humanity could do 60 years prior with less tech.

Let's hope they avoid being that realistic.

@ Men_in_Boxes , no gameplay clips yet, but it would be almost shocking if it isn't 1st person.

Even at light speed it takes 4.6hrs to get from earth to pluto, but of course for a video game it will be greatly shoterned.

Ubisoft would be licking their lips with all that potential play time.

 

[elliot5]

Any ideas if it's 1st person or 3rd person?

Probably both like every Bethesda game, no?

 

[Sosokrates]

Any ideas if it's 1st person or 3rd person?

I would put money on that its primarily first person but has a 3rd person option, like skyrim and fallout 4

 

[Stuart360]

Im guessing it has interstellar travel.

I do hope travelling to other planets is not superquick, so you can walk about your ship and do other tasks while in light speed to another solar system.

Even at light speed it takes 4.6hrs to get from earth to pluto, but of course for a video game it will be greatly shoterned.

Of course fast travel or sleep will probably an option, but I actually like travelling in games, especially on my first play through.
In a game like starfield I would be surprised if random things appears on sensors when travelling

I'm guessing it will be some kind of warp tech, so faster than light. I agree though it would be cool if it took a certain amount of time to get to a certain place, and you could walk around your ship doing tasks that need to be done.
I'm sure some poeple would find that boring or pace stopping, so maybe have it as an option.

 

[DaGwaphics]

Probably both like every Bethesda game, no?

Completely forgot about the 3rd person mode in the Bethesda titles.

 

[Leo9]

Any ideas if it's 1st person or 3rd person?

Howard confirmed that Starfield will be playable in both first- and third-person. This is the case in both Bethesda's Elder Scrolls and Fallout games.

"We like that style of gameplay," Howard says. "First-person for us is still our prime way of playing. So you can see the world and touch all those things."

 

[Neff]

Give me Fallout in Space with a dash of Elite and multiple planets to visit and I'll be more than happy.

 

[DaleinCalgary]

It's going to be a buggy mess that barely works.

 

[Markio128]

I hope it isn’t too grounded in reality. Skyrim in space has me thinking that we’ll be able to choose to play as aliens and that we’ll be having epic battles against god knows what.

 

[sendit]

Set to release this year. However, we have zero gameplay footage. Just short cuts and clips. I wouldn’t be surprised if this gets delayed to 2023.

 

[Sosokrates]

Give me Fallout in Space with a dash of Elite and multiple planets to visit and I'll be more than happy.

Yeah thats my expectation. I like keeping them quite low. So disappointment is avoided.

 

[Sosokrates]

I hope it isn’t too grounded in reality. Skyrim in space has me thinking that we’ll be able to choose to play as aliens and that we’ll be having epic battles against god knows what.

I think it will be as grounded in reality as fallout 4, but without all the fallout nuclear punk lore.

Think the early days of space travel in the federation in star trek, a bit like the show "enterprise" or even TNG, but there will be less militaristic factions more like the Gotg and star wars where theres lots of nomads, mercenaries, bounty hunters and guerilla factions.

 

[TintoConCasera]

It's going to be a buggy mess that barely works.

Gotta be honest, I loved all their previous buggy messes.

This time they are using a new engine, right? Hopefully there'll be less jank this time around.

 

[Mister Wolf]

As long as I get intelligent alien species I will be happy.

 

[Sosokrates]

Gotta be honest, I loved all their previous buggy messes.

This time they are using a new engine, right? Hopefully there'll be less jank this time around.

Also now they are owned by MS, the release date might be more generous then when Zenimax was independent.

 

[Fredrik]

I'm guessing it will be some kind of warp tech, so faster than light. I agree though it would be cool if it took a certain amount of time to get to a certain place, and you could walk around your ship doing tasks that need to be done.
I'm sure some poeple would find that boring or pace stopping, so maybe have it as an option.

I like that idea. Having auto pilot on and doing in-ship tasks, maybe repair something or upgrade the ship and preparing stuff for the upcoming adventure on a new planet, and then get an alert that something is approaching which start an action sequence.

This highlights a big problem with Bethesda’s stealthy approach with this game. It’s a new IP so even if they’ve said ”Skyrim in space” and ”NASA-Punk” people still don’t know what to expect and then we can start fantasizing and expecting too much.
Like in my ultimate fantasy there is realtime space flights. And hundreds of openly explorable planets, some with weird life forms and biomes.
But a realistic expectation is that we have fast travel as you say. And maybe 5-10 explorable planets, where maybe 3 are open for free exploration and the others are just focusing on specific settlements. The Outer Worlds and Mass Effect essentially.

 

[ByWatterson]

Here's a "reality" for you: The game is a little over 8 months from release and not a single shred of gameplay has been shown.

Fallout 4, doe.

 

[MaKTaiL]

Starfield releasing this year and all we have are concept arts. Do you guys really believe they are anywhere close to being done? This game will either release buggy as fu**, without any of the promised features or delayed.