Everything you need to know about Starfield – Updated

Starfield is releasing in the next few weeks after what feels like a colossal wait. If you’ve been looking to take a step into the unknown, then this colossal space adventure looks set to be your standout title of 2023. Veteran Elder Scrolls developers Bethesda promise to put on an adventure of galactic proportions and frankly, we can’t wait.

If you’re not sure about Starfield or just need more details to whet your appetite before the release, here’s everything you need to know.

Starfield Release Date and Platforms

Originally slated for a November 11, 2022 release (which would put it exactly 11 years after Skyrim), the game was pushed back a couple of times. The final release date for Starfield is September 6, 2023 – or if you pick up the Starfield Premium Edition, Constellation Edition, or Premium Edition Upgrade you’ll be able to start playing from September 1, 2023.

You will be able to get your hands on Starfield on PC and Xbox Series X/S, with Starfield coming to Xbox Game Pass on day one.

Starfield PC System Requirements

Is your system tough enough to take on the challenge of Starfield? Check out the system requirements below:

Minimum PC Requirements:

OS: Windows 10
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 2600x, Intel Core i7-6800K
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 5700, NVIDIA GeForce 1070 Ti
Network: Internet connection required
Disk Space: 125 GB available space
Direct X: Version 12
Additional notes: SSD Required
Architecture: Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system

Recommended PC Requirements:

OS: Windows 11,Windows 10
Processor: Windows 10/11 with updates
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080
Network: Internet connection required
Disk Space: 125 GB available space
Direct X: Version 12
Additional Notes: SSD Required
Architecture: Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system

Starfield Live Action Trailer

If there’s one thing Bethesda likes to do as part of their marketing and hype cycle for a game, it’s to put together live action trailers. Starfield is no different, with a live action trailer released during Gamescom 2023’s Opening Night Live. Set to a moody cover of Elton John’s Rocket Man, this should whet the appetite of any prospective space adventurer.

Starfield Gameplay

Starfield is an open world RPG that steps beyond Bethesda’s Elder Scrolls series to experience a vast galaxy filled with explorable planets. Customisation is at the forefront, you’ll be able to customise your character both at the start of the game and when levelling up, your spaceship, and even your guns. In addition, you’ll be able to establish outposts throughout the galaxy as you explore this slice of the universe.

Combat will play a huge part of Starfield, with many enemies to take down from bandits to more organised groups of foes. You’ll also be engaging with the conversation system, making decisions that will impact your adventures and how you’re perceived throughout the galaxy. 

Players familiar with the Elder Scrolls may see some mechanics that make them feel at home too, pickpocketing, lock picking, persuasion minigames, NPC companions, factions, and base building will all be present, albeit with a sci-fi twist.

Starfield Character Creation and Ship Customisation

Bethesda showed off the game’s character creation tools, with plenty of options for body types and skin tones. In addition, you’ll select a background which comes with starting skills that help you define how your character begins their adventure.

These ‘classes’ are termed things like combat medic, professor, homesteader, or bouncer, which each gives you certain starting skills. These skills will be instantly familiar to anyone who’s spent time in a modern RPG, as they cover areas like persuasion, bargaining, medicine, and of course because we’re in space – lasers.

When you level up you’ll be able to customise your character more, choosing new skills and upgrading them by using them or completing certain challenges. You’ll also have access to traits that will give you bonuses – but many also come with negatives you’ll have to take into account. For example, ‘Spaced’ makes you more robust in space but less tough on the ground. ‘Dream Home’ gives you a wonderful house but you’ll need to pay upkeep on it. ‘Kid Stuff’ brings your character’s parents into the game, allowing you to visit them – but 10% of your money will go to them. If you’ve played Oblivion before you’ll recognise the adoring fan you get from ‘Hero Worshiped’ who’ll annoy you and give presents in equal measure. Each of these will give you problems to solve that will help define your RPG character.

In addition to customising your character both at the start of the game and as you level up, you’ll also get to put together your own spaceship. With an entire ship customisation array for you to poke through containing tons of ship modules from in-game manufacturers, your ship will be an extension of how you play – much like your character is.

Even further than that, you’ll be able to craft guns, putting together custom creations with mods you salvage, buy, or research yourself.

Starfield’s Open Galaxy

Bethesda has gone on the record stating that there will be over 1,000 planets in Starfield’s galaxy and you’ll be able to land on and explore them all. These will be generated through a mix of procedural generation and hand-creation, hopefully giving us a nice mix of barren planets and others with more crafted experiences.

The game will take place in an area known as the ‘Settled Systems’, a region of space that spans 50 light years around Sol. Two factions vie for supremacy over this area, the United Colonies and the Freestar Collective who at the start of the game are enjoying a period of tenuous peace.  You’ll visit cities such as New Atlantis, Akila City, and Neon – all filled with quests, NPCs, factions, and more.

As this is an open world game in the vein of the Elder Scrolls / Fallout games, expect to see tons of interactions and choices open to you as you play, which will enhance your RPG experience. Thieves can pickpocket or lockpick their way to riches and loot, silver-tongued rogues can persuade others and gain NPC companions, and of course there’s lashings of ranged and melee combat to indulge in should all other options fail.

In a game of this size you may be worried about making a difference in the world, but there are ways you can leave your mark. Similar to the Elder Scrolls games, many factions will exist in the world that are independent from each other, allowing you to pick and choose your way through the universe. You’ll also be able to found outposts and build your own base, something that will be instantly familiar to players of Fallout 4 and Fallout 76.

Looking for something a little more bite-size? Check out our list of the best indie games you can play while waiting for Starfield.
Starfield Mod Support

We know thanks to interviews with Bethesda head honcho Todd Howard that like their previous games, Starfield will have full mod support. Unlike their other games, Starfield has been built in Creation Engine 2, which means there will be questions about what format modding will take. That said, we know that mod support has been the backbone of Bethesda’s success, so we can expect to see a comprehensive creation suite available to modders.

Will Starfield have Multiplayer?

Starfield will be an entirely single-player experience. Bethesda have released no plans to include any form of multiplayer, co-op, or PvP in their game, much as with previous titles like Skyrim or Fallout 4.

That said, with talented modders out there, who know what the future holds.

Starfield Trailers

Way back in 2018 we got our first look at Starfield with an announcement trailer:

In 2021 that was followed up with the official teaser trailer:

Bethesda have also released several videos going in-depth with the locations, such as Akila City:

Neon:

And New Atlantis:

If you want to get more info on Starfield, here’s the first episode of the Into the Starfield series:

For more Starfield trailers, head to YouTube and check the playlist out here.

Now you’re equipped to take on your next task, head to our store and pick up Starfield today. This is going to be one of the biggest games of the year and we’re sure we’ll be able to put together an interstellar deal for you. Why not blast off with Starfield and Green Man Gaming.