New Starfield Video Shows More Concept Art And Offers A "Cryptic" Tease

Bethesda has released a new video in which game director Todd Howard, studio director Angela Browder, and art director Matt Carofano talk about the developer's upcoming game, Starfield, with Howard specifically teasing something "cryptic" for the project.

This is the first entry in the "Into the Starfield" video series, with more to come over time. In addition to commentary from Howard, Browder, and Carofano, the video shows what appears to be new concept art for the sci-fi RPG. Check it out below.

Carofano said Starfield is more grounded and realistic than Skyrim, though at its heart the two projects share an ambition to give players the freedom to explore.

"It's got a more realistic, science-based backing to it. Whereas Skyrim is sort of an epic fantasy, this is a more grounded game, and a grounded setting about exploration. So I think that gives us a different take on how we make everything," Carofano said.

Howard said the mechanics of Starfield compared to Skyrim are "entirely different," though there are some similarities. One of those is how Starfield is presented with a first-person camera, and this helps make things seem more believable, he said.

"Being able to watch the sun set and nighttime come, and just sit there and watch the world go by, seems like it's not gameplay. But it is vital to how you feel through the rest of it," Howard said.

"There has to be an emotional trigger that occurs," Browder added. "As time has gone on, I think we're able to paint an even better picture that triggers that emotional thing."

Also in the video, Howard teased that Starfield has two "step-out" moments, but it remains to be seen what he meant by that.

"Technology's changed, we've all changed, so our expectations when loading up a game - like, 'OK, I'm going to step out and there is going to be this moment'... Us being able to do that and have it feel new every generation, every game, is something that is really special about what we do," he said. "I like to say that Starfield is two step-out moments--that's cryptic."

Starfield launches on November 11, 2022 for Xbox and PC, and it's included with Game Pass. Bethesda is also working on The Elder Scrolls VI to come after Starfield.