Todd Howard: "Starfield Only Became Fun to Play Last Year"

After its initial announcement at the 2018 E3 event, Starfield captured the imaginations of many. The game promised a vast, interplanetary adventure with thousands of planets and diverse extraterrestrial characters. Enthusiastic gamers eagerly awaited the chance to dive into this open space RPG, leading them to implore the developers for a prompt release. However, instead of an early launch, fans were met with a series of delays. These setbacks, though frustrating, were essential decisions to ensure a polished product, as revealed by game director Todd Howard.

During an interview with British GQ, Howard openly shared that the feeling of fun and enjoyment while playing Starfield only truly materialized recently, specifically over the past year. This acknowledgment sheds light on the necessity of the repeated launch delays, which aimed to prevent a situation similar to the Fallout 76 debacle. Howard reflected on his initial expectation of quicker problem-solving, detailing that most of the delays were attributed to refining the game's overall flow. He likened the process to sculpting, steadily refining the raw material into something magical.

Despite the prolonged journey and the hardships that the development team faced, Starfield is now on the brink of release, with an announced launch date. The path to this highly anticipated moment required immense dedication, as the developers had to start from scratch in creating all the game's content. Design director Emil Pagliarulo revealed that it took years for Starfield to begin taking shape. Howard echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the difficulty of creating content that isn't immediately visible on the screen.

Thankfully, despite the challenges and setbacks, the developers' unwavering commitment has led to Starfield becoming one of the most highly anticipated releases in gaming history. While awaiting the game's arrival, a touch more patience is required before players can immerse themselves in the wonders of the Settled Systems. In the interim, you can explore our guides on various aspects of the game, such as the Starfield Freestar Collective faction, the captivating Starfield Gagarin planet, and the intricate Starfield Ryujin Industries.