The makers of Skyrim and Fallout 3 considered adding vehicles at one point
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| Bethesda explains Starfield's complete lack of ground vehicles |
Starfield, the expansive open-world RPG crafted by Bethesda, has finally made its debut, dazzling gamers with its vast universe of spaceships and the option to design custom vessels for interstellar exploration. However, one notable absence in the game is ground-based vehicles, a decision Bethesda's game director, Todd Howard, explains as an intentional choice aimed at preserving the essence of planetary exploration.
After a five-day early access period for paying players, Starfield has emerged as one of the standout gaming experiences of the year. Phil Spencer, Xbox's head honcho, proudly declared it to be Microsoft's "most played, next-gen exclusive." As a result, a multitude of gamers are now embarking on their digital odysseys within Starfield's galaxy, venturing into a myriad of quests and planetary landscapes. Yet, the absence of speedy ground vehicles, such as jet cars or hover bikes, has raised questions among players, leaving some yearning for their inclusion in this sprawling space adventure.
In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Todd Howard addressed the absence of ground vehicles, revealing that Bethesda did indeed contemplate their inclusion in Starfield but ultimately concluded that such a move would "alter the gameplay" too significantly. Howard elaborated, "Once you land in your ship, [and now] you're on foot, it lets us really, for the players, make it an experience where we know how fast they're seeing things."
Howard also pointed out that players are not entirely bereft of vehicular aid, as they possess jetpacks that become available once unlocked. These jetpacks offer a means of traversing planets at a faster pace and add a novel dimension to the exploration experience. Howard emphasized the uniqueness of each planet, with varying levels of gravity, which makes jetpack usage a distinctive and exciting feature.
While some players express frustration over the absence of ground vehicles in Starfield, it hasn't been a significant issue for me during my time with the game. Much of Bethesda's latest RPG involves frequent fast travel, which can lead to a sense of detachment from the game world. Exploring planets on foot, delving into caves, and uncovering outposts provide a slower, more immersive experience reminiscent of wandering the post-apocalyptic wasteland in Fallout 3. While the allure of zipping around planets in a high-speed jet car could be enticing, the current pace of exploration on foot adds depth and immersion to the game. Of course, player preferences may evolve over time, and Bethesda could consider introducing ground vehicles like hoverboards in future DLC, catering to various playstyles and preferences.

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