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It has long been confirmed that Starfield is launching with over 1,000 fully explorable planets. Considering this, it should come as a surprise to nobody that Bethesda has chosen to utilize procedural generation. This process is critical to how the game functions, but many are still confused as to how it works exactly. Wonder no more because we are here to provide the definitive explanation of how procedural generation works in Starfield.
How Does Procedural Generation Function in Starfield?
Bethesda has not shied away from the fact that most planets in Starfield will be procedurally generated. This process starts with the art team at Bethesda, who create a multitude of different “terrain chunks” for each planet. Computer software can then come in and stitch these terrain pieces together in realistic ways, as well as add onto them to create an entire planet! This was repeated for each planet in the Starfield galaxy.
We also know that there are tons of different factors that come into play when a planet is being generated. Colder planets, for example, are much less likely to have fauna than warm planets. Likewise, any planet that has never had human presence will be void of any architecture. Procedural generation in Starfield is shaping up to be some of the most advanced versions of the technology we have ever seen.
Most of the results of this process are pre-determined, meaning that planet terrain will remain identical throughout all playthroughs. However, things get interesting when encounters, dungeons, and smaller settlements get thrown into the mix. In order to keep things interesting, Starfield will actively place points of interest in your vicinity, effectively preventing exploration from getting too stale. Consequently, points of interest will vary between each player.
Because world events change for each playthrough, it is most likely that not all minor quests will be static, either. Sorry, modders, it looks like integrating co-op will be a bit more of a challenge this time around!
Which Features Aren’t Procedurally Generated?
Although many aspects of the game are procedurally generated, there is still a plethora of hand-crafted content. Todd Howard has gone on record stating that Starfield includes “more hand-crafted content than any Bethesda game ever.” So, exactly which parts of the game are hand-crafted?
- Star system layout/location: Pre-determined (hand-crafted)
- Planet/moon orbits and locations: Pre-determined (hand-crafted)
- Planet/moon surfaces: Procedurally generated
- Space stations: Hand-crafted
- Large cities: Hand-crafted
- Small settlements/structures: Procedurally generated
- Dungeons: Procedurally generated
- World events: Randomized
The truth is that Starfield needs procedural generation. It is simply too ambitious to be done entirely by hand. Thankfully, Bethesda has had lots of experience working with the technology, so the hotly anticipated sci-fi RPG is in good hands!
Related:
Top 11 Most Anticipated Games Coming in September 2023
Starfield‘s release date of September 6th can’t come soon enough. In the meantime, check out our list of the 6 Starfield features we are most excited about.
