The Scope of Starfield: Infinite or Just Very Large?
One of the most anticipated parts of Bethesda's upcoming game, Starfield, is the scale and richness of its world. With Starfield containing over 1000 planets, a few large cities, and being described as larger than any previous Bethesda game, the scope and scale are certainly high. However, the exact size and depth of Starfield remain a subject of debate, especially when it comes to the planet scale and the concept of infinite terrain generation.
Map Size and Terrain Generation
Admittedly, when it comes to pure map size, Starfield is expected to be vast. In interviews, Todd Howard, the creative director of Bethesda, has confidently described the planets in Starfield as “real scale.” However, other indications suggest that this might not be entirely accurate. Howard’s statements could be seen as a way to give the impression of large planets without having to fully simulate their gigantic surface areas. Instead, the game might employ infinite terrain generation, resembling systems seen in games like No Man’s Sky.
No Man’s Sky, a game which Starfield has taken many cues from, boasts average planetary diameters of around 74 miles in real-world measurement (ITM). For comparison, our moon measures about 2159 miles in diameter. Similarly, Kerbal Space Program, a game that focuses on spaceflight simulation, only displays planets at approximately 10% of their real-world equivalents. Given this trend, it is highly unlikely that Starfield will fully commit to the planetary scale found in these other games, as perceived by players.
Infinite Terrain Generation: A Fake Depth?
While the infinite terrain generation might allow Bethesda to claim that the planets in Starfield are “real scale” without simulating all that surface area, it also presents a unique gameplay challenge. This feature means that as you continue to explore, the landscape will keep generating new areas, potentially giving a misleading sense of depth and infinite space. However, the way it works in practice may not be as impressive as intended, as the game may not be able to simulate the true scale of planets.
Content and Quests
When considering the content of Starfield, it is important to note that the main quest is expected to be longer than in previous Bethesda games. However, whether Starfield will offer a significantly larger amount of side content and quests remains uncertain. The description of the game as “larger than any previous Bethesda game” is more likely referring to its scope of planets and cities rather than a substantial expansion of the main storyline and side content. It doesn’t appear that there will be a serious commitment to extensive side quests or a mountain of content, beyond the new randomised planets to explore.
For players, the true measure of Starfield will lie in the interplay of these elements. While the vast number of planets and the potential for infinite terrain generation are exciting, it will ultimately be the quality of the storytelling, quests, and exploration that will determine the true success and scope of the game. Starfield seems poised to deliver an expansive universe with a focus on its scale and exploration, but the details will undoubtedly be a point of discussion and speculation as the game approaches its release.
In conclusion, while Starfield promises to be a large-scale game with an impressive number of planets and cities, the true scope of the game may be more nuanced than initially perceived. The integration of infinite terrain generation and the balance of main and side content will ultimately determine how expansive and enriching the experience will be for players.