Starfield is one of the most anticipated games of 2023, and it is finally launching this week on Xbox, PC and Game Pass. The game is a grand space RPG and the first new IP from Bethesda in over 25 years. The game’s director Todd Howard has issued an internal memo to thank the teams at Bethesda, ZeniMax, Xbox and Microsoft for their contributions and support.
In the memo, which was obtained and published by Windows Central, Howard recounts the story of pitching the game to the late ZeniMax CEO Robert Altman in 2013. Altman was the first to believe in the project, which would take almost a decade to complete. Howard also reflects on the changes that happened during the development, such as the global pandemic, Altman’s passing, and becoming part of Xbox.
Praise for Phil Spencer and Xbox
Howard also praises Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox, for his unwavering and fierce support of every game and every player. He says that joining Xbox brought them closer to many people they had worked with for over 20 years, and that he cannot imagine a better place to create games. He notes that Xbox allows the diversity of studios, creators, and games to flourish.
Howard has previously expressed his appreciation for Xbox’s support on Starfield. In July 2021, he said that Xbox had been “incredibly” supportive and that it really allowed them to be ambitious and take risks. He also said that every one of Xbox’s QA staff had been playing Starfield in the lead-up to its release, to help identify any bugs and improve the quality of the game.
A Milestone for Bethesda and Xbox
Starfield is a milestone for both Bethesda and Xbox, as it marks the first game launched under their partnership. Microsoft acquired Bethesda in 2021 for $7.5 billion, making it one of the biggest deals in gaming history. The acquisition gave Microsoft access to some of the most popular franchises in gaming, such as The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Doom, Wolfenstein, and more.
Starfield is also one of the biggest exclusives for Xbox in recent years, as it will not be available on PlayStation or Nintendo platforms. The game is expected to be a huge hit for Xbox Game Pass, the subscription service that offers access to over 100 games for a monthly fee. Starfield will be available on Game Pass on day one, along with all future Bethesda games.
What to Expect from Starfield
Starfield is set in our own Milky Way galaxy, with hundreds of explorable star systems and planets. The game promises to offer a vast and immersive experience, with hand-crafted content and dynamic events. The game will also feature a deep character creation system, with various skills, traits, backgrounds, and companions to choose from.
The game will also have a rich lore and history, as it is set in the 23rd century, when humanity has colonized space. The game will explore themes such as creation and the search for our place in the universe. The game will also have various factions and organizations that players can interact with or join.
Starfield will launch on September 1st, 2023 for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Game Pass. The game will also have an early access period starting on August 31st for select players who pre-ordered the game or are part of the Bethesda Insider Program.