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In the dynamic domain of gaming, Bethesda's latest creation, Starfield, has become a focal point of discussion even before its official release slated for September 6. In an unprecedented move, the game has been experiencing a surge in player engagement during its early access period, simultaneously attracting commendations and critiques for various elements of gameplay. This article delves deep into the intricate details encompassing the record-breaking early access phase, sales strategy, and emerging gameplay discussions. Record-breaking Engagement on Steam Starfield has already marked its territory in the gaming universe by breaking records on Steam with a staggering number of 248,632 concurrent players, as noted at the time of writing. This expansive space RPG's early success clearly indicates the eagerness and impatience of players to explore the new frontiers that Bethesda has to offer. It should be noted that players have the option to gain early access by purchasing the Premium Edition of the game priced at Rs. 6,699 or $100, applicable on both Steam and Xbox platforms. Interestingly, even Game Pass members, who essentially have free access to the game, have shown willingness to pay an additional amount of $31.49 or Rs. 2,519 for early entry. Sales Strategy with Xbox Game Pass Bethesda's early access strategy for Starfield is evidently turning out to be a successful endeavor, especially considering its association with Xbox Game Pass from the inception stage. This strategy, which serves as a profitable route for Bethesda, comes amid growing concerns in the gaming industry regarding the perceived devaluation brought by Game Pass. Notably, during a trial against the US FTC in June, PlayStation head Jim Ryan articulated the general consensus among video game publishers of being somewhat averse to Game Pass, labeling it 'value destructive'. Despite these concerns, Bethesda seems to have carved out a lucrative path. They have successfully incorporated paid bonuses like early game unlocks into their strategy, which appears to be resonating well with the audience. As reported by VG247, the Premium Edition Upgrade of Starfield is witnessing soaring sales, becoming the best-selling product across Microsoft stores globally, exclusively available to Game Pass subscribers. Gameplay Exploration and Early Critiques While sales and engagement records are making headlines, the gameplay aspect of Starfield is equally generating buzz, albeit with mixed responses. Players globally are keenly experimenting with the boundaries of the game. A speedrunner known as ‘Micrologist’ remarkably managed to complete the game in less than three hours, setting a precedent in the gaming community. However, it's not all praise in the early feedback, as some players have encountered limitations in the exploration module of the game. Reports of players attempting to manually land their ships on planets, only to clip through untextured surfaces, have surfaced. This has brought the fast-travel and warp systems in the game under scrutiny, with players expressing desires for a more immersive space exploration experience, free from mandatory fast travel and warping to new solar systems. General Reception and Gameplay Attributes Despite the noted limitations, Starfield has garnered positive feedback, securing an 88 percent Metacritic score for the PC version and an 86 for the Xbox Series S/X variant. The director of the game, Todd Howard, encapsulates the essence of Starfield as being akin to ‘Skyrim in space’. This creation marks Bethesda's first new universe in a span of 25 years, propelling players into the futuristic era of 2330 to navigate outer space and its various celestial entities. Embarking on this journey from the perspective of a space miner, players will progressively integrate into the Constellation, a prestigious group of space explorers engaged in the quest for rare artifacts scattered across the galaxy. The game intricately weaves in a jail system and introduces diverse religions to follow, thereby enriching the narrative. Additionally, it reintroduces the Persuasion system, reminiscent of Fallout 3, facilitating story progression without resorting to combat, albeit making a fully pacifist run unfeasible. As the gaming community stands on the cusp of the official launch, it is evident that Starfield has ignited the enthusiasm of players globally, promising a rich and immersive space exploration experience, coupled with intricate gameplay dynamics. It is to be noted that the Premium Edition holders are already enjoying early access, while the global release is set for September 6, available on PC, Xbox Series S/X, and Xbox Game Pass platforms. Also Read:

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speedrunner Micrologist

Starfield’s Early Access Journey: Records, Sales, and Gameplay Insights