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Starfield's Philosophical Ideas Could Make It Stand Out From Other Sci-Fi Games
Starfield's early 2023 release dawns closer, and anticipation continues to mount for the new Intellectual Property from Bethesda Game Studios. Its first new IP in 25 years, Todd Howard, Executive Producer at Bethesda Game Studios, claims Starfield is Skyrim in space. With a large map, a long story of 30-40 hours, and over 1000 planets to visit among hundreds of star systems, the game is looking to be an impressive feat.
While Starfield is sure to give players plenty of locations to explore, more than enough meat and potatoes fill the game world with bustling activities and adventures to embark upon. Different factions, governments, corporations, mercenaries, and pirates live and breathe among the stars that players will journey through. However, beyond these elements, the scope of Starfield is vast and could make it stand out from other Sci-Fi games. This comes from its philosophical ideas that the game hopes to question and explore.
Mankind Amidst the Stars
Howard has repeatedly mentioned that Starfield will contain two "step out" moments where the player will be confronted with the awe of the surrounding universe. These moments are tied to the exploration the game seeks to provide players and will be significant steps for the journey. Howard has mentioned that these moments are connected to the ideas of humanity as a space-faring species.
That is a critical element of the game and this philosophical thought about what is next for humanity as a species. To capture the realism of space and our place within that future, Howard visited SpaceX to understand physically and aesthetically the authenticity of what space, space travel, space stations, exoplanets, and colonies may look like in the future. To avoid flashy, high-tech wizardry was a pivotal decision to measure how humanity may thrive at the end of real space.
Humanity's Purpose in Starfield
Tied to the idea of humanity being a space-faring species and thriving among the stars is only the tip of the iceberg for Starfield. Recently, composer Inon Zur offered his thoughts on the game. Zur claims that the scope of the game is not only enormous, but the story is dark and philosophical, posing long-lasting and thought-provoking questions to players who are probably bound to lose hundreds of hours within the game playing and seeking answers.
Zur's comments augment Howard's information about what it means for humanity as a species and its purpose if space is the next logical frontier to explore and conquer. Howard and Zur both identify that not only does the game question this mode of thinking, but it can provide answers if players are willing to find the answers. Both men conclude that part of the player's agency within the narrative will lead to such discoveries.
Going further, Zur even described the game and its philosophical questions and answers as life-changing. He certainly believes that the game's conclusions and agency for those philosophical matters will change players' way of thinking and viewing the universe. While details of the story have been scarce, the little known indeed points to more profound and enthralling questions beyond a superficial level.
Starfield is one of the most anticipated new games in 2023, as the first new IP for Bethesda in 25 years. However, the game is set to be expansive and more extensive than Skyrim, with a long and voracious story that will contain at least two-step out moments for players to take in the surrounding wonders of the universe. Additionally, the philosophical theme of what it means for humanity to be a space-faring species has only compounded the mysteries and exploration designed for the game.
Starfield releases in 2023 for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
