Starfield has begun to introduce the science fiction cities it will take you to
Starfield committed to a November 2022 release date during E3, and now we’re starting to learn more about Bethesda’s next big RPG. This week they released three “Location Insight” videos, describing in basic detail some of the cities you will visit on your interplanetary adventure.
The videos are narrated by design director Emil Pagliarulo and sent to subscribers to Bethesda’s free mailing list, Constellation. You can Sign up for future updates through the game’s official site.. However, the videos are not blocked and simply do not appear on the Bethesda YouTube channel. You can see them below, each with Pagliarulo talking about an animated concept art.
New Atlantis is a spaceport and the capital of the United Colonies, Starfield’s great military and political power. Pagliarulo describes the city as a “true melting pot” whose inhabitants come from all races, creeds and ethnicities. It looks like a future built city, but it is also not unrecognizable compared to some real big cities. The buildings still look like buildings.
The city of Akila is the capital of the Freestar Collective, “a loose confederation of three distinct star systems.” It looks like a colder Mos Eisley, with concept art featuring a mosaic of low stone buildings, and residents are described as believers in “the sanctity of personal freedom and individuality.” Leaving the walled city puts you in danger from the Ashta, alien predators who are “a cross between a wolf and a velociraptor.”
Neon is a city of pleasure built on a giant fishing platform built on a “nondescript water world.” The corporation that built the fishing rig discovered a fish with psychotropic properties, realized they could make more money from the drug than the fish, and made the drug, Aurora, legal in Neon. It looks like a floating Las Vegas covered by a giant yellow dome, and to me, it’s the most interesting concept of these three places. Yes, please let me fuck myself with the fish.
As far as science fiction goes, none of the above are outlandish concepts, and all three are reminiscent of the kinds of locations I’m used to from previous Bethesda games. Regardless, it’s still nice to see Starfield turn into something more concrete, and I’m looking forward to seeing more in action.
