In a not-so-surprising turn of events, Starfield is facing stark criticism from a prominent modding figure. The developer behind the renowned mod for The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim mod, Skyrim Together, Cosideci, took to the project’s dedicated Discord server to express their disappointment with the open-space RPG, labeling it as “fucking trash.”
Cosideci’s initial enthusiasm for Starfield led them to invest significant effort in reverse-engineering the game and, in turn, adapt elements from its popular mod to develop a similar co-op experience for Starfield. However, this enthusiasm waned quickly after they actually played it – a sentiment that several players on Steam can agree with, despite Bethesda Game Studio’s best efforts to convince them otherwise. The modding group criticized Starfield for lacking a similar kind of compelling exploration and vibrant, handcrafted world that are hallmarks of Bethesda’s games. This led Cosideci to halt the development of Starfield Together, a project they had already ported about 70% of Skyrim Together’s revered code.
The developer’s disillusionment with Starfield was profound and its impact will likely be felt for the foreseeable future. They described the game as boring, bland, and void of the immersive exploration experience fans have come to expect from Bethesda titles. This stance has raised doubts about the potential of Starfield to foster a thriving modding community similar to that of Skyrim.
Despite abandoning the project, Cosideci has Starfield Together available as an open source project, should others wish to continue the endeavor. However, they estimated that finishing the project could entail over 100 hours of additional work, indicating the mod is far from a playable state.
While Starfield has divided opinions since its launch, it has seen a significant player base, with Bethesda reporting over 12 million players. However, the prospect of major co-op mods, akin to the ones that extended Skyrim’s lifespan, seems uncertain for Starfield. Xbox boss Phil Spencer’s hopes for Starfield to replicate Skyrim’s 12-year success might face challenges, especially without the support of influential modders like Cosideci.
If anything, Cosideci’s departure from Starfield might encourage others to do the same and focus their talents on other projects – a bad sign for the still-to-be-released Creation Kit for Starfield.
This latest development follows Bethesda’s decision to monetize Skyrim mods again. But, perhaps, more importantly, this resonates with the broader sentiment around Starfield, where the community excitement has gradually given way to a more critical view. It’s come a point that the latest Bethesda game, which was one of the most-hyped projects for years, only ended up getting a single nomination at The Game Awards and going home with no wins. Many expected Starfield to be another groundbreaking title, with some comparing it to Skyrim BUT in space. The truth has fallen way short, however.
Starfield is devoid of the “little moments” that characterize Bethesda’s most popular titles. To make matters a lot worse, the game’s uninspired quest structure, which involves repetitive traveling and clearing of enemy camps, is a main point of contention among players. Unlike Skyrim, where exploration was an integral and engaging part of the experience, it has been criticized for its reliance on loading screens and lack of engaging content between objectives.
The modding community’s response to Starfield is pivotal. While mods have the potential to significantly enhance the game’s lifespan and appeal, the willingness of modders to invest their time and creativity is contingent on the appeal of the base game. The sentiment that Starfield may not inspire the same level of commitment from modders as Skyrim did is a concerning sign for its long-term viability.
Starfield’s reception has highlighted the importance of a compelling base game to foster a vibrant modding community.
In recent years, the industry’s reliance on modders to “fix” or enhance games has become obvious. What others fail to realize is that the foundational quality and appeal of the game are crucial for attracting creatives. For Starfield, its most recent setback hopefully serves as a wake-up call to Bethesda, confirming the need to align the game more closely with the expectations and preferences of both players and modders.
