Bethesda’s Starfield, the anticipated space RPG, is finally on the cusp of its official release, and no one else in the world is more thankful for the fans’ unwavering support than the man behind the game, Todd Howard.
As a spiritual successor to iconic franchises such as The Elder Scrolls and Fallout, Starfield has carried the black hole-like weight of expectation since its announcement back in 2018. Howard recently broke his long-standing Reddit silence to pen a thank-you note to the burgeoning Starfield community, calling them the “smartest” fans in gaming, a compliment that suggests he doesn’t take the anticipation lightly.
Surfacing on the Starfield subreddit after a Reddit hiatus of nearly two years, Howard’s presence was nothing short of a a milestone for the never-satisfied community. The director’s post was met with a torrent of gratitude and excitement, amassing a staggering 31,000 upvotes and over 3,600 comments within 24 hours. Fan responses range from the fervent declarations of pre-launch excitement to nods of acknowledgment at Howard’s vision for a space RPG, a dream dating back to his comments on Usenet in the mid-’90s. It’s clear that Howard has been quietly observing the swell of enthusiasm for Starfield, with the subreddit itself now boasting over 264,000 members.
But Howard’s Reddit appearance wasn’t his only communication; he also disseminated an internal email to Bethesda as well as Microsoft employees, sharing some insights about the game’s development journey. Howard recalled his initial pitch for Starfield to the late ZeniMax CEO Robert Altman back in early 2013. It was an ambitious idea – a space RPG exploring themes of creation and our place in the universe, Bethesda’s first new IP in over 25 years.
The path to realization hasn’t been straightforward, Howard acknowledged, marked by a series of events including the death of Altman, the COVID-19 pandemic, and Bethesda’s acquisition by Microsoft.
Even in the lead up to its launch, Bethesda had to fight off disappointing leaks, unfair comparisons, and otherworldly levels of hate, among others.
The good news is that Starfield’s release is finally on the horizon and fans have nothing but positive things to say for now.
While the early-access version is available for those who’ve purchased the Premium or Constellation Editions, the rest of us will have to wait until September 6. And if you’re a Game Pass subscriber, you’re in luck. Starfield will be available for play without an additional purchase, and upgrading to one of the early-access editions will give you a five-day start in the game ahead of everyone else. Still unsure of when you can get your hands on the game? Make sure to check this out.
As for the game itself, the early signs point to an unqualified success. Starfield is already rocketing up the Steam charts despite not even being released yet, and the subreddit’s hive of activity indicates that this trend will only grow more intense as the game finally hits consoles and PCs.
But what’s most striking about Howard’s communications – both public and private – is the sincere gratitude and humility that underscore his words. Recognizing the fans’ crucial role in fueling the game’s development, Howard does not just thank the fans; he lauds their intelligence and engagement. These are not mere platitudes; they echo Howard’s genuine sentiment that the game has been a “labor of love,” its creation energized by a community who Howard insists “means the world to us.”
Of course, the final verdict will be in the hands of the gamers themselves. Yet, as the clock ticks down to what promises to be one of the most momentous game launches in recent years, Todd Howard’s gratitude serves as a prelude to the game coming out – an emotional one, if that.
Now, the only thing left for fans is to embark on the journeys that Starfield has to offer, their passions and excitements fully recognized and returned by the creators. It’s an auspicious start to a game that hopes to find its own place in the universe of iconic RPGs, bolstered by a community that’s already reaching for the stars.
