The SF role-playing game Starfield showcased a 50-minute presentation on June 11th. Fans of the game also saw an old acquaintance: The “Adoring Fan” from Elder Scrolls: Oblivion (2006) is back and he loves the player more than ever. The insider joke from Bethesda was a hidden highlight of the presentation for many fans.
What kind of NPC is he?
- In the presentation yesterday, Starfield showed the “Adoring Fan”. He is a somewhat dim-witted-looking guy who follows the game like a loyal puppy. He is even significantly worse than Kelvin from Sons of the Forest.
- The NPC who admires you can be unlocked by selecting a trait and thereby become part of the player’s crew. He will gift the player and constantly chatter at him.
- The NPC is completely enthusiastic about the player and says things like: “I can’t believe I get to stand next to you and breathe the same air. I need to inhale every single molecule of it.” He seems more creepy than nice in his admiration.
Starfield was the highlight for many at the “Quasi-E3” press conference of Xbox:
Where do we know him from? The NPC comes from Elder Scrolls: Oblivion. There he ran after the player after being successful in the arena.
As PC Gamer points out, you could make him a companion 17 years ago, who was completely useless and constantly died, but soon reappeared.
Even in the role-playing classic, he showered the player with constant flattery and admiration. He offered to carry the player’s weapons, clean his weapons, and generally worship him.
Here he comes running:
How does one get him in Starfield? He is optional. You can unlock him via a trait or not. Even Bethesda explains: Whoever unlocks him for the “gifts” must also endure his constant chatter.
“Bethesda knows its fans so well”
How is this received by the fans? Very well. The biggest thread on reddit is currently “Oh god, not him again” with over 7,000 upvotes and nearly 500 comments:
- People say they had to laugh so hard when they saw him. Apparently, it’s the same voice actor as in the role-playing game, Craig Sechler
- One player says: His wife was so confused because he was so excited to see the NPC again during the presentation – Bethesda is probably appealing to “old fans” who have been following the game studio for a long time
A second scene from the show is particularly celebrated. Bethesda stated that traits could also be removed. It shows the fan before a cliff and apparently seconds before his murder.
This is a reference to a YouTube video of Elder Scrolls (via youtube), which has since reached cult status.
- The video from Elder Scrolls Oblivion shows the NPC and how he leans off a cliff when the player tells him he doesn’t need his services at the moment.
Love apparently can hurt.
Starfield has sparked a discussion among players of Star Citizen:
