New York Times interview Archives

Exploring the Philosophy Behind Starfield's Sparse Planetary Design In their ambition to simulate the boundless void and the majesty of space exploration, the creators behind Bethesda's new release, "Starfield," have adopted a deliberate approach towards the design of the game's celestial bodies. In a recent interview with The New York Times, Ashley Cheng, Bethesda's Managing Director, and Todd Howard articulated their philosophies concerning the representation of space in the game. Below, we delve into the particulars of the design concept which aims to encapsulate the true essence of space exploration, albeit with planets that are seemingly 'dull'. The Purpose Behind 'Dull' Planets Space, the final frontier, is largely composed of expansive voids interspersed with celestial bodies that are fundamentally enormous and complex rocks. According to Bethesda's standpoint, the reality of space is not comparable to an amusement park filled with constant thrills and spectacles; it's more about the sheer enormity and the sense of awe one experiences when setting foot on uncharted territory. It's a place where the sheer volume makes an individual feel small and overwhelmed. Ashley Cheng accentuated that the essence of space is its vastness and the feeling of being minute within it. He further iterated that when astronauts journeyed to the moon, despite its barren landscape, they were far from bored. The emphasis here is on the joy and wonder of exploration, which according to Bethesda, more than compensates for the apparent lack of excitement that a sparse planet might present. Emphasizing the Wonder of Exploration This vision is also shared by Todd Howard who stated that the human intrigue about what lies in the cosmos and the dream of moon landings required a game of a grand scale. A game with limited cities and planets would not suffice to create the profound experience of being an explorer in the vast cosmos. Hence, Starfield has been envisioned with over 1000 planets, each presenting an opportunity for players to indulge in the curiosity that stirs when one gazes upon the night sky, pondering the wonders that lie beyond. Player Experiences and Expectations Though the game aims to create an authentic space exploration experience, initial feedback suggests that the planets in Starfield might not fully encapsulate the sense of being unexplored as they ought to. Despite the expansive design, some players find that the planets resemble independent segments of any other Bethesda game rather than truly undiscovered realms in the vast universe. It seems that the challenge for Bethesda is to balance the grandeur and desolation of space with engaging gameplay. Players anticipate a shift in their initial experiences as they progress further, harboring hopes that the true essence of exploration, akin to wandering on barren planets in other space games like Elite: Dangerous, will soon emerge more distinctly in Starfield. In conclusion, Bethesda's approach to the design of Starfield's planets is indeed a noble attempt at portraying space in its raw and unembellished form. While it might appear as a gamble, the true reward lies in fostering an authentic sense of discovery and wonder that beckons players to explore further, even if the landscapes may initially seem 'dull'. As the game unfolds, it remains to be seen whether this choice will indeed enhance the grandiose adventure that space promises. Also Read:

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New York Times interview

Exploring the Philosophy Behind Starfield’s Sparse Planetary Design