Game-changing Starfield mod adds feature Bethesda couldn't
Starfield was an unfortunate failure for Bethesda that never quite recovered. The DLC expansions were a much-needed step in the right direction, but the damage had already been done.
Fortunately, like most modern Bethesda games, Starfield supports the creation and use of mods. Mods truly are a wonderful thing. They can make a mid-game slightly less mid.
In the context of Starfield, this involves adding a feature that really should have been part of the main game, a true open-galaxy.
Reddit user vaynelo shared a brief clip of such a mod online. We believe it’s the Seamless Planet Takeoffs SFSE (Beta) mod by 0xBobby.
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As the name implies, it allows the player to fly down and out of a planet’s atmosphere without the agonising loading screens breaking up your intergalactic exploration.
It’s a feature that’s been somewhat taken for granted in rival games like No Man’s Sky. When Hello Games first launched its vast, but barren, universe, gamers were understandably vexed. That didn’t take away from how technically impressive the game actually was, especially now.
READ MORE: No Man’s Sky’s Sean Murray Has Big Plans For The Game’s Future
For Starfield to be made by a titan of the game industry like Bethesda, it was a shock to see seamless planetary travel not possible in the vanilla game.
Thankfully, Seamless Planet Takeoffs SFSE (Beta) fixes that, and while results may vary from planet to planet, 0xBobby has said they’ll continue to update it so the transition from planet to space is as smooth as possible, and vice-versa.
Unfortunately, this is a PC-exclusive. You won’t be able to use it on Xbox, and you certainly won’t get it on PlayStation either.
Bethesda is very selective over what mods it allows on consoles via Creation Club, and PlayStation has always had an anti-mod stance for games on its platforms. PC users can obviously go nuts, though.
Starfield sets its course for the future
Despite its launch day woes, Starfield is still here and still being supported as one of the main titles under Bethesda’s roof.
Recently, the studio released an enormous statement detailing some of its plans for the future, including the confirmed existence of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas remasters. Updates on The Elder Scrolls VI and Fallout 5 were also shared.
On Starfield, Bethesda said the game “remains an important part of our future”, and there’s plenty in the pipeline for its third year of support.
The statement continued: “As we enter Year 3, we'll continue expanding the Settled Systems with new stories, targeted gameplay improvements, and additional updates, while preparing for the launch of new Starborn content next year. More than 40% of players already customise their experience through Creations, and we'll continue investing in creators and giving players new ways to make Starfield their own.”
Don’t get too excited about that last part. The mods that made their way into Creation Club tend to be ones that can be marketed and monetised. A mod that casually throws shade at the work Bethesda put into the game certainly won’t make the cut.