Starfield Lets You Customize Your Ship With New Weapons, Modules, And Crew Abilities

Bethesda's recent Starfield Direct showcase has given players a better idea of what they can expect from the studio's expansive upcoming space RPG--including more details on how players can interact with their ships.

Previous updates have revealed that players can build and alter their own ships (and, obviously, fly them). But in Starfield--which has "over 1,000" unique planets--nowhere is off limits, and players can explore just about every inch of the game's massive environment.

"That isn't a backdrop, that moon is actually orbiting the planet," Bethesda Game Studios executive producer (and Starfield game director) Todd Howard said in the studio's showcase, referring to a distant moon seen in the distance. "And yes, you can visit it, too."

Different modules can be installed to upgrade players' ships--a habitat module will provide more room for crew, while an improved "grav-drive" allows ships to perform longer space-jumps.

"We're giving you a massive playground and a ton of toys, and just setting you free," senior level designer Zachary Wilson said of the game's ship-building and exploration mechanics.

Crafting modules allow players to install a crafting area on their ship, while others allow for more aesthetic choices, like storing and displaying weapons. Other parts of the ship, including the crew's living quarters, the mess hall, the cargo gold, and many more areas can all be customized to fit individual player needs. Even the ship's external appearance--from its paint-job to its overall silhouette--are completely customizable. Bethesda showed off a series of dev-made ships with unique appearances ranging from traditional spacecraft to Transformer-esque mech ships to ships shaped like animals. The possibilities, it seems, are endless.

The showcase also revealed that there are two methods for players to modify their ships: Ship customization can be performed quickly and easily via the menu, or players can take a more hands-on approach when it comes to making their spacecrafts unique via "ship-builder mode." These two options appear to provide the best of both words, as players who don't care much for ship-building can quickly upgrade things and jump straight into exploration, while players who like to dive deep into the technical side of things have the opportunity to spend hours tweaking, customizing, and changing the appearance and abilities of their ship.

"Your ship is almost like having another character," lead ships artist Ryan Sears said of the game's spacecraft customization.

But ship customization goes beyond physical details. Players can hire a multitude of crew members from spaceports, major cities, and other areas in the game. These crew members can be assigned to a player's ship (or one of their outposts), and each crew member's unique skill set will affect how things run wherever the player chooses to send them.

When it comes to ship combat, there's a lot more to interstellar dogfights than one might imagine. While aim is obviously an important factor, the ship's flexible customization system doesn't end once you leave the landing pad. In addition to installing specific modules that provide a tactical advantage, players can also make split-second choices mid-battle, like rerouting extra power to their ship's weapons and shields. Certain player-character skills can also increase their ship's efficacy in combat.

But building a ship isn't the only way players can get their hands on a spacecraft. In addition to looting gear, modules, and other items from ships they've destroyed, players can become genuine space-pirates, disabling an enemy ship's defenses, docking with it, and taking control. Once the ship is under the player's control, it's theirs to keep and customize.

Starfield is set to launch on Xbox Series X|S and PC on September 6, 2023.