The highly anticipated next Bethesda IP, Starfield, was finally given a release date at E3 2021, and fans have been ravenous for any information regarding the upcoming sci-fi open-world (or, rather, open-universe) game. It's been in the works since the late '90s when the company first played with the idea of an open-world Sci-Fi series, and it's finally coming to fruition in 2022.
Aside from a basic trailer highlighting the overall world and aesthetic, not much is known about Starfield. There have been some press releases and informational panels, but fans generally don't know what to expect. This has led to the gaming community coming up with their own theories. Some are very believable, but others are pretty out there. If nothing else, the discourse surrounding Starfield is a signal that hype meters are maxing out amongs Bethesda fans.
5 It Subtly Takes Place In The Elder Scrolls Universe
One particularly far-fetched but semi-believable theory about Starfield is that it takes place in the same universe as The Elder Scrolls. The theory that Bethesda games all take place in the same universe is nothing new. Fans have long speculated that the world of Fallout is set thousands of years after The Elder Scrolls (or perhaps thousands of years before, akin to Star Wars.)
If Starfield is indeed based in the same universe, it would be a far-future version of what players see in any Elder Scrolls title. There isn't much evidence for this theory aside from fans dreaming up possibilities, but there is one detail that could indicate a morsel of truth. A symbol seen on a console in the Starfield trailer bears a strong resemblance to the western portion of Tamriel, specifically High Rock and Hammerfell. Some fans have speculated that this is just a teaser for the equally anticipated Elder Scrolls VI, though of course, nothing is confirmed.
4 Faction-Based Progression Means A Better Open World
One of the few things that has been confirmed about Starfield is the presence of faction-based gameplay. Player experiences will be molded from the very start based on their choice of factions, which can change throughout. What's more, there are many more factions in Starfield than in Skyrim or even Fallout: New Vegas already confirmed.
One of the major criticisms of Bethesda's recent offerings, particularly in the Fallout series, has been the lack of a true open-world feel. Compared to older games like The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind or the aforementioned Fallout: New Vegas, choices don't seem to matter quite as much in, say, Fallout 4. Hopefully, the number of factions (and their apparent effect on the progression of the world) could mean that Bethesda is returning to older development philosophies on a player-driven open world.
3 Starfield Will Be Mod-Ready From The Start
If it wasn't for the incredibly strong modding scene for the Fallout series and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, these games might never have been the blockbuster industry leaders that they are today. In the past, Bethesda has not released official mod support for games upon release. With the release of Skyrim Anniversary, and of course the Bethesda Creator Club in Skyrim SE and Fallout 4, it appears that ethos has changed.
If Bethesda has learned anything from the massive popularity of Skyrim it's that a strong modding community can help drive sales, even if mods fundamentally change how the game is played. Starfield will likely have mod support from the very outset, but whether it will be in the form of the Steam Workshop or the Bethesda Creator Club (or even both) is yet to be revealed.
2 It Will Be Much Harder Than Fallout 4 Or Skyrim
Todd Howard, the Executive Producer and face of Bethesda throughout the last few decades, indicated in several interviews throughout 2021 that something needs to change about their development philosophy. He indicated that Starfield will feature the return of many classic RPG features that were sorely missing from their recent titles. However, this also means that it's likely that Starfield will not hold the player's hand.
Games like Morrowind and Oblivion are much more difficult than Skyrim thanks to the depth of combat systems, the breadth of player choices, and the overall lack of guidance. Even games like Fallout 3 and New Vegas feature classic RPG systems that fundamentally force players to more carefully consider their options. If the stars align, we may even see the return of RPG "classes," a form of "spellcrafting" for the Sci-Fi setting, and perhaps even the removal of hand-holding quest markers and organized mission journals.
1 An Official Gameplay Trailer Is Coming Sooner Than We Think
The official release date for Starfield is 11/11/22, exactly 11 years after the release of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. One fan on Reddit pointed out several similarities between the two games' release timelines, and came to the believable conclusion that a gameplay trailer for Starfield will come in early 2022.
Skyrim was released on 11/11/11, and a gameplay trailer came out on February 24th, 2011 about nine months before release. The user also pointed out that Xbox doesn't have any major releases planned for the start of 2022, and it would be smart of Bethesda to hype up the upcoming timed-exclusive Xbox title during a slow period for the console.
Starfield will release on November 11, 2022 for PC and as a timed exclusive on the Xbox Series X|S.