Summary
Starfieldis an important release for Bethesda, but Rockstar Games may want to keep tabs on the game’s performance as well. While Bethesda is obviously invested in the game due to being its developer, that does not mean that it is the only one who should keep an eye on it. Games can have ripple effects in the industry that go beyond their creators, especially high-profile releases likeStarfield, which has been anticipated for years. WhileStarfield’s potential success will be good for Bethesda, its impact could end up being wider than its own reputation.
When one considers thatStarfieldis something entirely newfor Bethesda, it makes sense that it has been so heavily anticipated. Bethesda has spent decades working on theFalloutandThe Elder Scrollsfranchises, andStarfieldis an entirely new project for the studio, boasting a new setting and theme. While it still follows up on the action RPG framework that Bethesda is known for, its status as a new IP for such a major developer makes it a talking point. Unlike past games, there is no series' legacy to cling to.Starfieldwill have to prove itself a worthy successor in its own right, and it seems to be doing just that based on its review scores.
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Starfield Could Herald New Horizons For Rockstar as Well as Bethesda
In the leadup to release, the fact thatStarfieldtakes Bethesda’s formula to spacehas been a source of discussion. Space offers a lot of opportunities thatFallout’s wasteland andThe Elder Scrolls' Tamriel don’t have the opportunity to take. Different planets and alien species can offer greater range in setting and design, and concepts like space travel also create new opportunities for gameplay. Not to mention, past properties set in space have taken great advantage of the futuristic setting to do exciting things, likeStar Warswith its iconic lightsabers.Starfieldcould also add its own twist on the idea of a spacefaring future.
In a way, it is quite fitting that someone has alreadyrecreatedRDR2’s Arthur Morgan inStarfield, because space and the wild west have a surprising amount in common. In both settings, there is a lot of focus on adventure and exploration in unknown lands. Of course, space is a much larger scale than the American west, and has much more wild possibilities to boot. However, a cowboy like Arthur can easily be likened toStarfield’s space-traveling protagonist. Both need to rely on their wits and natural instincts to survive in environments that can be unforgiving to those unprepared for the journey.
One cannot overlook the fact that both Bethesda and Rockstar have been responsible for some of thegreatest open world games in the industry. SinceStarfieldis taking Bethesda’s brand of open-world RPGs to space, it could also prove that Rockstar’s style of open-world action games could thrive in such an environment as well. After all, a lot of the mechanics that madeRed Dead Redemption 2so successful could easily be adapted into a futuristic environment with a few aesthetic changes. The main question may be whether fans are receptive to the idea. IfStarfieldis a hit, then the answer is clearly a resounding yes.
Starfieldis definitely an important release for Bethesda, since it has five years of anticipation to answer for, especially with fans stillwaiting forThe Elder Scrolls 6. If all goes well, thenStarfieldcould end up as something more than another feather in Bethesda’s already-impressive cap. Rockstar could be emboldened by its success to plan a space-themed IP of its own onceGrand Theft Auto 6andRed Dead Redemption 3have been safely released. It may be wise for Rockstar to watch the response toStarfieldfor the sake of its own future.
Starfieldis available now for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
