Modders have, once again, come to the rescue of Bethesda. As predicted, the modding community has come up with another way to make Bethesda’s latest game, Starfield, more fun. The modder, vexthecollector, has unlocked a hidden aspect of the game, enabling players to construct their own space stations – a feature that was mysteriously dormant – which means it existed but wasn’t enabled, for some reason – in the original code. This addition has not only expanded the gameplay but also hinted at potential future content from Bethesda.
The mod, Spacestations for Outposts, showcases the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the modding community. All you need to do to access it is by activating the existing menus used for ship modification, players can now create multiple custom starstations, equipped with a minimum of three standard dockers. This integration leverages the game’s outpost building mechanics and introduces a new element – the spacestation control pad.
Despite the initial excitement, the endeavor isn’t without its challenges. Docking, for example, is still full of issues, proof of the unfinished code. Those eager to explore their celestial creations might find themselves with technical obstacles, from difficult docking procedures to fast travel glitches, which require additional mods or console commands to rectify.
Interestingly, the revelation that the code for this feature was already present in Starfield has sparked speculation. Many wonder if this is an indication of Bethesda’s future plans for Starfield, perhaps a foreshadowing of upcoming expansions or updates. This isn’t unprecedented; Bethesda’s history with games like Fallout shows a pattern of evolving its building systems, continually adding complexity and depth. The potential for officially supported space station construction, akin to the ability to build one’s own Vault in Fallout, is an exciting prospect.
On a similar note, Bethesda later added the ability to build and create houses in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, with fishing and other activities coming later on. Thus, it’s possible Starfield buried the code for future use.
The mod, while a significant step forward, does reveal the limitations of working with unfinished code. Issues with cargo and docking transfers highlight the need for further polishing and development. Finally, while the components for the space stations are currently free – due to Bethesda’s lack of balancing – it leaves room for improvement, either by Bethesda or more robust modding teams.
If nothing else, this mod enhances the gameplay experience for those who are currently enjoying Starfield, which grow fewer by the day, as evidenced by the Steam reviews. More importantly, it sets a precedent for the future of Starfield.
Bethesda’s confirmation of an upcoming expansion has now left many to wonder if space station construction is part of the game’s content pipeline. Shattered Space doesn’t have a release date at the moment, but most are hopeful that it adds more than just story content.
For now though, the remnants in the game’s code have allowed modders like vexthecollector to take the reins, enabling players to craft their own narratives and structures among the stars.
Despite the mod’s current limitations, such as the absence of merchants or trade authorities on the modded stations, it marks a significant leap forward for the Starfield community. It embodies the spirit of exploration and creativity that the game espouses, providing players with new horizons to explore and conquer.
Speaking of Starfield, a long-time Bethesda developer recently revealed earlier plans to limit the scope and scale of the game. Finally, the same developer confirms that exploration in Starfield didn’t turn out as well as expected.
