Starfield (Bethesda Game Studios)

[Jason]

It can really only be ground vehicles I think.

 

I mean, none of the cities need any new traversal methods, they're designed to be walked around like, lets be real, a fantasy RPG city, rather than a big sci-fi city with roads and whatnot. So the only other option would be new way to travel space which... what? lol So it has to be a buggy or something for exploring planets, it can't really be anything else IMO. I'd be shocked if it was, anywho.

 

1 hour ago, Tacymist said:

I hope these new features will include adding qol stuff like 76 has. Being able to break down weapons, armor, and junk into useful resources so easily in that game is something I miss dearly in Starfield. It's more of a chore than fun hopping from planet to planet hoping I'll find what I need.

 

They need to figure out something with inventory and resource management before they get to that, but yea, I do miss junk not having a use. That made exploring every nook and cranny in Fallout 4 actually worth it, it was transformative to the exploration loop IMO.

 

But yea, in regards of the inventory and storage stuff, they need to make outposts function like Fallout 4's for me. Let us access an outposts storage through workbenches, while also greatly upping the amount of storage you get at outposts. Give it the full QoL treatment cause right now it's poo. Also make cargo links just work exactly like Fallout 4's caravans, remove the weird fuel thing, and just make it so you build one and turn it on and it's connected to your outposts storage network and thus you get one big shared inventory. Realistic? No, but is it way easier to manage and as a result way more fun? Yes.

 

tl;dr: up storage capacity at outposts massively, add a workbench or something where you can access your entire outpost inventory in one spot, and simplify cargo link so it functions exactly like FO4 caravans.

 

Then they need to go and actually do something with outposts... like let us build space settlements and towns. But first and foremost, give it some massive QoL passes to make that system less sh*t.

 

1 hour ago, Tacymist said:

'll use spoilers for the last bit, it's about a NG+ thing as you complete more NG+'s.

  Reveal hidden contents

One thing I hope they add is the ability to mod our Starborn suit. There's a bunch of different variants as you complete more NG+'s and some look better than others. It would be cool if we could at least apply the previous appearances as skins as we unlock more suits. I got the final suit and I'm kinda stuck with that one now. :c

 

 

Transmog would be very nice, they even have a system they could use to do it already in the shape of armour skins in the workbench. 

 

Anyway, the ship building updates are the most exciting for me. Being able to properly decorate my ship like an outpost would be great, mods show it's possible (if a lil buggy, but it's a mod) so hopefully that's how that is going to work. More modules, habs and parts would be nice, as well as being able to paint the interior like the exterior, changing colours of the lights etc like Index mentioned too.

 

Step 2 of the ships is then making them feel a bit more alive on the inside, more noise, ambient chatter if possible, redoing the crew system so it matters more rather than just giving confusing passive buffs that are never explained, etc.

[Mister Pink]

On 12/19/2023 at 11:03 AM, Harwood Butch3r said:

My second (proper) venture into Starfield is going much smoother.

 

I think the problem before I faced was not really knowing how to pace myself. I would start a quest, do a bit of it and start another one. It felt like I was jumping all over the place too much which is probably why I had trouble trying to find a flow.

 

I’m only 4 or so hours into to my current save so not too much at all. I definitely feel I’m getting a grasp of it. I am used to those blockbuster “cinematic” type games from Sony after all so playing something with way more freedom how to tackle objectives isn’t something I’m that used to, but I’m getting there.

What you are experiencing sounds a lot like why my brother prefers more linear titles. Too much player freedom or choice paradox makes it too discombobulating for him. This would extend to GTA. Although it seems kind of bonkers for GTA, there are a lot of people who get overwhelmed by options to do anything and never actually finish the story. I'm glad you are giving it a second chance. And it seems like you are giving it a decent go. 

 

I do think it's a learned skill to keep focus in a Bethesda game. As I mentioned before, setting some goals, some achievements helps you keep track. 

 

I've only done 4 main quests but I've done a 100+ activities and side stuff. My goal was just to level up a bit and stretch out the game. The main story is quite straightforward so far and often the smaller tales told by doing faction missions or some side quest can be quite nice. i think of them as nice vignettes that tell short stories in the universe to make it come alive. 

 

Linear stories are great and have a place but I found them very restrictive once I was able to be engrossed in a couple of big open-world games like Fallout or Starfield. I find the storytelling is more 4 dimensional. There are the stories told within the world; side quests, activities  - then there is the main story - then there is environmental storytelling such as reading data pads or computers and learning about the building you are in by reading documents - overhearing NPC conversations tell a story too then lastly the go-anywhere approach at your own pace allows you to consume the worlds as you please. And linear games can have these things too but it's not as rich as an open-world game. 

 

 

[Margot Robbed Me]

"new ways to travel"

 

[.Ryan.]

20 hours ago, Mister Pink said:

What you are experiencing sounds a lot like why my brother prefers more linear titles. Too much player freedom or choice paradox makes it too discombobulating for him. This would extend to GTA. Although it seems kind of bonkers for GTA, there are a lot of people who get overwhelmed by options to do anything and never actually finish the story. I'm glad you are giving it a second chance. And it seems like you are giving it a decent go. 

 

I do think it's a learned skill to keep focus in a Bethesda game. As I mentioned before, setting some goals, some achievements helps you keep track. 

 

I've only done 4 main quests but I've done a 100+ activities and side stuff. My goal was just to level up a bit and stretch out the game. The main story is quite straightforward so far and often the smaller tales told by doing faction missions or some side quest can be quite nice. i think of them as nice vignettes that tell short stories in the universe to make it come alive. 

 

Linear stories are great and have a place but I found them very restrictive once I was able to be engrossed in a couple of big open-world games like Fallout or Starfield. I find the storytelling is more 4 dimensional. There are the stories told within the world; side quests, activities  - then there is the main story - then there is environmental storytelling such as reading data pads or computers and learning about the building you are in by reading documents - overhearing NPC conversations tell a story too then lastly the go-anywhere approach at your own pace allows you to consume the worlds as you please. And linear games can have these things too but it's not as rich as an open-world game. 

 

 

I think what’s working me for me this time ironically is a similar method how I play GTA games.

 

I do a quest line for a while then I go back to the lodge for a rest in between and start again or I just go exploring for a bit if I don’t feel like doing anything.

 

I’m also not jumping too heavily into the ship building and base building yet. Basically being much more methodical and patient and it’s helping me massively take everything in.

 

It’s a much better have than I originally. In a way it’s how Cyberpunk 2077 used to make make feel, but I just had to let myself ease into the experience.

[Mister Pink]

3 hours ago, Harwood Butch3r said:

I think what’s working me for me this time ironically is a similar method how I play GTA games.

 

I do a quest line for a while then I go back to the lodge for a rest in between and start again or I just go exploring for a bit if I don’t feel like doing anything.

 

Makes sense. I do that too for some games. I have a routine/method. 

 

And always at the end of a gaming session I'll make sure I've sold all my things and got rid of weight and basically set my character up to be fresh for the next session. 

[Margot Robbed Me]

So I check Starfield on Steam from time to time to see if any updates/patches have released, and the store page currently has the Recent Reviews sitting at an abysmal 29%. With the total reviews sitting at 65%.

 

Those updates/DLC basically have to be perfect. 

Edited December 28, 2023 by Margot Robbed Me

[Tacymist]

I guess those responses to negative reviews didn't win anybody over huh lol

[Jason]

There's a lot of very justified criticism that's been thrown Starfield's way but the overall player reaction is a bit weird and a bit over the top at this point.

 

It's not a straight up horrible game by any modern definition, but I do think it has been a victim of unfortunate timing whatwith it being sandwiched between BG3 and CP2077 2.0, plus insane hype followed by a game that ultimately never met expectations for various reasons, with datedness being a big part of that, and also some post-launch stuff like a slow rate of patches (made worse by BG3's rapid fire support) and things like the review responses.

 

This isn't a defense of BGS because this shouldn't be the bar they're aiming for, but if Starfield was a game from a different studio from different expectations it would have had a very different response I think. Again, not a defense, because BGS are a studio who have a track record of GoTY's, but it's more  to say that Starfield isn't some disaster of a video game or anything.

 

I do think that SF as a franchise is simply not gonna reach the heights of Fallout or TES, the setting and the inherent design choices that come with the setting will limit it's appeal in that sense, but I do think that if they keep plucking away the feedback around the game will turn. There's a lot of good things in there, just a lot of it is undercooked. I think I said a while back that it almost feels like they spent most of their time making as many gameplay systems and mechanics as possible for DLC/modding potential, rather than making a smaller number of systems and mechanics and making sure they're great. It feels like a game that was made with how it's gonna be 10 years down the line in mind, rather than how it is on day 1.

[Margot Robbed Me]

Besides the whole CP2077 and BG3 timing problem you mentioned, I think Bethesda's history that you touched on is hitting the game hard. The outpost builder for example is being directly compared against Fallout 4's builder, and it gets shredded in comparison. Even though I avoided everything related to the game prior to release to keep my expectations low, I can't get the FO4 comparisons out of my head while playing Starfield. So no matter what, Starfield always had a bar to reach. It fell short not of my expectations for Starfield, but for my expectations from Bethesda.

 

The game is quite far from perfect, and perhaps even fell short of what I think is "good" from Bethesda, but it certainly isn't "29%" bad.

[Failed Again]

2 hours ago, Margot Robbed Me said:

Besides the whole CP2077 and BG3 timing problem you mentioned, I think Bethesda's history that you touched on is hitting the game hard. The outpost builder for example is being directly compared against Fallout 4's builder, and it gets shredded in comparison. Even though I avoided everything related to the game prior to release to keep my expectations low, I can't get the FO4 comparisons out of my head while playing Starfield. So no matter what, Starfield always had a bar to reach. It fell short not of my expectations for Starfield, but for my expectations from Bethesda.

 

The game is quite far from perfect, and perhaps even fell short of what I think is "good" from Bethesda, but it certainly isn't "29%" bad.

I'm with you, Starfield is pretty good. If I was a dev on this -I'd be a little heartbroken on its perceived status.

here's a really good short vid on things that have frustrated me in building simple adjustment in settings\

for instance-You can enter build mode without going to the beacon and even from inside you Hab-with window- Use your scanner and select the beacon. Done.

ADDED NOTE. When selecting beacon via scanner use "R" to select it.

Edited December 28, 2023 by Failed Again

[Failed Again]

This is SO_Nice.

 

 

[Mister Pink]

Damn! Starfield! I love you! 

 

Mild spoilers ahead regarding ECS Contstant..

 

I've been having the best Starfield sessions ever. Firstly the ECS side-mission where you meet some colonists from Earth trying to make their home a home but it is being occupied by a corporate paradise spa business! Lol. The options to resolve the issue of the Earth colonists was hilarious and downright evil the good option costing a pretty penny.  I loved the idea that when they left Earth 200 years ago they didn't have Grav Drive tech! And since then humans have left Earth and colonised places - essentially them being stuck in some kind of stale, time-capsule-bubble when it came to advancements in technology.  I ended up being the good guy because I had the money but I watched videos of the other outcomes. 

 

Other things I did was head to places I haven't been like Tola system and the planet plagued by Terrormorphs. The Forward military base looks f*cking cool in the ice and snow. I finally did the Red Mile which the building and idea/lore of the place is cool but the actual Red Mile challenge is sh*t. 

 

Finally created my first outposts. Bit challenging but rewarding once you start getting things moving. Most frustrating part is just bouncing between systems getting resources.  But now I'm extracting Helium for fuel and sending it to fuel my other outpost in another system. I think I've found my place where I'm going to have a mother outpost. But, there may not be much point if there are more specific "mission" type outpost tasks like "send X to Akila." Does anyone know if we can make more than 8 outposts? I think 8 is my limit at the moment. 

 

I was dug into Starfield before. Took a break for about 3 weeks. Didn't actually play it over Christmas but the break did me good. Went back and discovered all these amazing places. Like the abandoned launch pad on Mars....

 

 

[Jason]

First patch is out as a beta on Steam, ETA full release is ~2 weeks or so.

 

It's mainly a lot of big fixes and that type of stuff, but it does appear that they've put work into the lighting as well. Hearing and seeing some good things about lighting changes across the board.

 

Some of the personal highlights from the patch:

 

Quote

• Fixed crew members and companions positioning near the cockpit after fast traveling to the ship.
• Improved widescreen support (32:9, 21:9 and 16:10).
• Added support for stars displaying sun disk geometry.
• Shadows can now be seen on planet rings from planet surface.
• Improved eyes and skin on crowd characters.
• Improved reflection on water.
• Improved contact shadows on character skin (Xbox and PC Medium/High/Ultra).
• Improved contact shadows on character cloth (PC High/Ultra).
• Improved contact shadows on first person (PC Ultra).
• Improved lighting in character generation menu.
• Fixed various FSR2 and DLSS artifacts (noise, black dots, ghosting).
• Fixed flickering when using the handscanner with DLSS enabled.
• Fixed initial lighting conditions when landing on a planet.
• Improved lighting at 73 locations.
• Fixed various geometry, texture, and ghosting issues.

 

Full notes: https://steamcommunity.com/games/1716740/announcements/detail/5828287448654756777?snr=2___

 

Per their post at the end of last year they mentioned updates every 6 weeks or so, so I imagine after this patch we'll possibly start seeing the first updates w/ new features and/or more meaningful changes to mechanics/features.

[Failed Again]

Xbox received the Starfield update today.

+ Steam Also

 

Starfield | Official Website | Bethesda.net

if you look around on the internet, you can find examples of improved visuals.

Edited January 31 by Failed Again

[Mister Pink]

It's just nice to see all these fixes even if I didn't notice most of them. I hope they continue with more fixes and improvements ahead of any DLC. 

 

I was playing last night and the update had gone through in the background as my Quick Resume for Starfield was gone. I have to say the game just keeps getting better and better. I'm doing Barret's side quests about Erving which is interesting, to say the least! Especially what we learn about Barrett.  I finally got to steal a Va'ruun ship which is class C. I think it's a Prophecy. Looking up the name, I can see there are tutorials on how to get it. Thankfully, I got it out in the wild, organically, if you will. But for the upgrade, Id certainly recommend anyone watching a video to get one. 

 

I know finally the basics of outpost building but I'm terrible at ships. I've done a few minor upgrades but that's about it. My last ship was the longest I've held a ship and I think this ship might stay with me a while. So, I'm interested in upgrading it and making it my own. 

[Jason]

Their plan is a patch every ~6 weeks, so we shouldn't be waiting too long for the next, I'd imagine it goes into Steam beta in late Feb.

 

 

[Jason]

Early news on the next patch, which has a potentially huge feature for PC players:

 

Sounds like they're planning for the next update to release by the end of month too. Good stuff, seems like they're getting into gear with the post-launch support now.

[Failed Again]

I play SF on Xbox and Steam

I think the game has Hugh potential.

 

It really has so much beauty and detail.

It's a vast improvement from their earlier Game engine.

Edited February 2 by Failed Again

[lndex]

I've just been looking at some of the new lighting changes, having not tried the update yet, and I'm not sure what to think. Some shots seem to add more depth and give it a bit of a mood, but for most of them, it's like they slapped a brown filter on them and called it a day. I dunno, I might end up sticking to Neutral LUT's when I return.

 

In these shots in particular, I much prefer the clean look of the old version:

 

[Mister Pink]

I get you. I wonder if Bethesda always intended to have a moody colour grade for these interiors and didn't get a chance to do it until now. And we've just been playing, enjoying and becoming used to an unfinished WIP. I like the bright and clean aesthetic of image 1 but I miss games going for a mood/vibe with filters/colour grades as seen the image 2. When seeing Kryx in the showcase for the first time it just reminded me of Fallout 3. I enjoy the neutral look of Fallout 4 but I did miss and started feeling nostalgic for those late 00's filters they have on games like GTA IV and Fallout 3. 

[Jason]

Latest patch out: https://bethesda.net/en/game/starfield/article/7t4cuMiS3neUd9aykDhDkT/starfield-update-1-9-67-notes-february-7-2024

 

Small one but a good one for PC players as it adds FSR3 officially and XeSS. Next patch should be a major one with new features I believe, we should get news on that soon.

 

I did actually try the game with an FSR3 mod just yesterday and it was really nice tbh. Game was running at 100fps+ and it was buttery smooth, but I do hope there is a mod that'll allow me to utilise DLSS w/ the official FSR3 implementation, just like the FSR3 mod allows.

[Failed Again]

Just did a quick look, my 6700xt is supported.

Wow big frame increase, and with frame gen it is way more.

But looks blurry and has artifacts.

 

I need to redo my sets, in the short time, I have made it look better than it did when first loading fsr3.'so there's hope.

[Jason]

Frame gen can cause some artifacting and ghosting, but it also may be a sign of FSR2, the upscaling tech. There could be increased blurryness if you use it when getting sub 40 native FPS I imagine as well. I'd only recommend it if you're averaging 50fps and above without frame gen.

[Failed Again]

3 hours ago, Jason said:

Frame gen can cause some artifacting and ghosting, but it also may be a sign of FSR2, the upscaling tech. There could be increased blurryness if you use it when getting sub 40 native FPS I imagine as well. I'd only recommend it if you're averaging 50fps and above without frame gen.

I've been watching this fellow awhile.

this shows the FSR3 during the beta.

shows it running on both NVidia and AMD. Good stuff

he shows all upscalers ..cool

outcome. It's good

 

I need to use Riva tuner I believe to limit my frames to monitor refresh rate.. to limit tearing above 185 fps

 

I started the vid. after his promo..

[lndex]

6 minutes ago, Failed Again said:

I need to use Riva tuner I believe to limit my frames to monitor refresh rate.. to limit tearing above 185 fps

 

If there isn't one available in the game, I use RTSS to cap my frame rate. I believe you can download it separately without MSI Afterburner. If not, don't AMD cards have one built in?

[Failed Again]

Yep, I don't see the frame cap in Starfield settings. So I guess RIVA statistic is it. thanks..!

adrenaline software doesn't that I know of.

 

I have upped my settings within SF getting closer to 185 monitor refresh. So Thats good.

Thanks for your input..

Edited February 22 by Failed Again

[Jason]

Starfield DLC popped up on SteamDB a few days ago, so we might see it announced soon. IIRC the DLC will launch alongside the mod tools as well, at least that was the plan I think?

 

Hope we more Va'ruun stuff. More space politics is I think all I want from DLC my self, unless they do something actually interesting with the Starborn stuff anyway. But I think fleshing out the factions and the main story and world would be the best way to go, rather than relying on anything that ties into any sort of Starborn/NG+ type of stuff.

[Failed Again]

I can't believe how much FSR3 has helped with SF, it's really impressive now on 6700xt,

and the game looks really good.

Edited March 27 by Failed Again

[Jason]

FSR3 frame gen is genuinely pretty damn good, assuming the implementation is sound (so no HUD issues etc). FSR3's main issue is when it's used in conjunction with FSR2.2 upscaling, cause FSR2.2 isn't very good in comparison to DLSS. But AMD are finally improving the upscaler portion of FSR2 soon and it looks promising, plus they're decoupling FSR upscaling and FSR frame gen officially, so you can use it with DLSS or XeSS, which is great.

[Failed Again]

17 hours ago, Jason said:

FSR3 frame gen is genuinely pretty damn good, assuming the implementation is sound (so no HUD issues etc). FSR3's main issue is when it's used in conjunction with FSR2.2 upscaling, cause FSR2.2 isn't very good in comparison to DLSS. But AMD are finally improving the upscaler portion of FSR2 soon and it looks promising, plus they're decoupling FSR upscaling and FSR frame gen officially, so you can use it with DLSS or XeSS, which is great.

More info:

AMD FSR 3.1 adds new options as well as Xbox support | Windows Central

 

there is a 43-minute video also in this link for detailed info on the working