Three years after Starfield's announcement, Bethesda fans finally got a major update about the studio's new RPG at E3 2021. Set to be Bethesda's first new IP in over 25 years, fans have been digging through the videos and images released so far in search of any information about the upcoming RPG's setting.
So far, Bethesda fans waiting for Starfield have only had access to the vaguest idea about the game's setting. The game will be set in space and it will involve a spacefaring organization known as Constellation, but beyond that potential players don't have much to go on when it comes to the specifics of the Starfield universe. One small detail in a recently released video, however, may help fans get a far better idea of when Starfield is set.
The Constellation Watch
When the new Starfield trailer dropped at E3 fans were quick to dissect every detail. It wasn't long before Bethesda enthusiasts were using the new trailer to speculate on everything from ship-building mechanics to the setting of The Elder Scrolls 6. A second video, however, released just after E3 on Bethesda Softworks' official Youtube channel. Into the Starfield: The Journey Begins is a short behind-the-scenes look at the new IP's development. It shows everything from the game's score being recorded to concept and poster art being painted.
At one point, Todd Howard says "we hope you'll join Constellation," and a box is opened revealing a Constellation patch and a watch, possibly set to be included in some sort of deluxe physical edition. On top of the watch is a tiny engraving which reads "EST 2188." This appears to refer to Constellation itself, the main faction revealed so far and seemingly the group the player starts the game as a member of. Although its a small detail, if Constellation was in fact founded in 2188 that gives fans a far better guess at when Starfield is set than they previously had.
Narrowing Down Starfield's Setting
Starfield definitely takes place after the founding of Constellation, setting 2188 as the lower boundary for its potential setting. The main story of Starfield has been described as "humanity's final journey," which could imply that Constellation has been around for some time, helping humanity explore and settle the galaxy. It's also possible that Constellation is a new organization set up only to embark upon that final mission.
Narrowing down the year that Starfield is set in depends on a few key questions. One of the most important questions is whether humanity's exploration of the stars began with Constellation, or if there were other organizations leading expeditions beyond the solar system beforehand. If Constellation is the first, then Starfield is likely set at least a century after 2188, with Starfield concept art showing frontier towns and entire cities in what are likely the far reaches of the galaxy. If Constellation is not the major faction behind humanity's spread throughout the stars, however, then Starfield could be set far closer to the date that the organization was established.
There's so much more about Starfield's setting that has yet to be revealed, but it seems very likely that the date Constellation was established can be taken as 2188 CE. That might seem far too early for "humanity's final journey," at least in light of the optimistic tone used to describe the game's universe in marketing materials released so far. For now, however, the detail could be key for fans trying to get a better idea of Bethesda's first new universe in decades.
Starfield releases November 11, 2022, for PC and Xbox Series X/S.