At the Xbox & Bethesda Showcase 2022, there was finally new gameplay for Starfield. 15 minutes of material were shown, leaving MeinMMO editor Benedict Grothaus pondering. The game would surely be a lot of fun in multiplayer mode – if it had one.
The biggest announcement at the Xbox & Bethesda Showcase 2022 was Starfield. The grand finale of the entire show, where Bethesda head Todd Howard personally promoted the features of the new sci-fi game.
And there was a lot to see. Like many viewers, I first thought of No Man’s Sky: plants and minerals that can be analyzed and harvested. Unknown beings on alien planets. It all sounds very much like the space adventure that has had a real multiplayer for quite some time.
Then the scene suddenly shifts. Somehow, it evokes the feeling of Fallout and that has already received an MMO with Fallout 76. And finally, Starfield increasingly resembles Star Citizen, perhaps the most well-known space MMO, which will surely come someday.
I must be honest: Throughout the entire presentation, I thought Bethesda was introducing a new MMO. Almost everything in the gameplay and the features screamed: “Play with friends!” See for yourself:
In 2020, Todd Howard already stated that Starfield would not have multiplayer. A pure single-player title. And there was at least no other statement during the new showcase. What a shame, as Starfield would make a great MMO.
By the way, Starfield will be one of 36 games that will be released in Xbox Game Pass in 2022 and 2023.
Loads of MMO elements, but no multiplayer
No matter how many times I watch the trailer: I keep thinking that Starfield would be an almost perfect MMO. It starts right with Todd Howard’s statement at the very beginning: “Be who you want to be. Go where you want to go.”
These are classic lines that describe a sandbox MMO. Additionally, starting at around 8:40, the “largest” character editor of all Bethesda games so far is showcased. Face, skin color, body shape … everything can be customized.
Sure, that is also important for an RPG. But especially in an MMO, I want to be able to differentiate myself from others and show: “Hey, I am unique! Look at how cool I have created my character!” Many Asian MMOs advertise precisely this.
Even the ships can be fully customized. That is so damn cool! Starting at 10:15, it is shown that colors and parts of spaceships can be completely personalized. And then we can also fly them ourselves.
Together with the aerial battles (“Dogfights”) shown at about 11:15, this would be excellent for a multiplayer mode. It works in EVE Online, after all.
It could be so easy to build everything for multiplayer…
Some of the elements shown, which are apparently there for the story and the world, seem like they just integrated MMO elements into a single-player game. Right at the beginning, at minute 4, the player breaks into a building and blasts away pirates.
This is what a dungeon should look like. Go in, smash enemies, and loot. Maybe a boss fight at the end, and we have a successful heist. Fallout 76 can do that with other players.
Then, at minute 13:00, it is stated that 100 star systems with over 1,000 planets will be available. All freely accessible and enterable. This practically screams to create various instances, raids, or hotspots and events.
There is even a social hub, just without social. Starting at 6:00, New Atlantis is showcased, the city where players keep returning to. NPCs are standing around, there are quests, and you set off on new journeys into the distance.
I know this from WoW and other MMORPGs. A city where I stock up on everything I need to head for the next raid. Or search for players, trading partners, or friends – who don’t exist in Starfield.
Social systems would enrich the features
Starfield comes with a crafting system, and it is shown from the beginning how resources need to be mined. This is essential if you want to modify your weapons. With other players, I could simply buy the raw materials in the auction house for the money I earn from hunting monsters – to sell skin and bones to those who prefer crafting.
There are also skills and abilities that can be developed throughout the game. So … you level up and basically create your own class. Just for yourself and not to play in groups. What a shame, the synergies would surely be exciting.
As seen from minute 7:30, there are factions in Starfield. The rough pirates of the Crimson Fleet and the law enforcers of The Rock (not the actor) were illustrated. Perfect for PvP if one desires. There are certainly enough planets where law and order do not prevail.
You can find an extensive preview of Starfield and all its features from the colleagues at GameStar.
Starfield without multiplayer – perhaps the right decision after all
As much as I can imagine Starfield as an MMO and wish for it, I have to admit that the single-player decision may not be the worst.
I know that multiplayer aspects can dilute RPGs. There are supposed to be decisions that can change the entire world. So there are certainly various endings and different ways NPCs react. That has already annoyed many people in Fallout 76.
I like Fallout 76, but I also know that it is not for everyone. Many Fallout fans prefer a single-player experience where they are not influenced by other players in their decisions and story.
Moreover, there will be companions. At minute 10:00 in the trailer, Howard talks about outposts that can be built and managed by NPCs. It would be difficult with other players. The first revealed companion is the robot Vasco:
Starfield might simply be too big for an MMO. Having to share all the elements with other players would be an enormous effort. Satisfying everyone would be nearly impossible. And nobody really needs a second Star Citizen.
Better a game without multiplayer that is really completed. And let’s see, maybe Bethesda will eventually relent and bring an optional co-op mode. And if not, then I’ll just return to Nightingale as soon as I’m done with Starfield:
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