Starfield has become one of the most divisive releases from Bethesda. Although Fallout 76 may have been received even more poorly and had numerous flaws, Starfield stands out due to the variety of opinions it has generated. Some players regard it as a top-tier RPG and an exciting space exploration experience, while others criticize it for feeling outdated and disappointing. No matter what people think about this latest Bethesda project, it will be intriguing to see how the legendary studio continues to develop it in the future.
It looks like further development is quite possible, especially if Bethesda Game Studios aims to treat Starfield like its other key franchises. Both Fallout and The Elder Scrolls have had MMO offshoots, with the latter being developed by ZeniMax Online and generally enjoying a more positive reception than Fallout’s adaptation. Indeed, Fallout 76 didn’t exactly receive a warm welcome at launch, and while it has improved significantly over time, it still faces challenges in winning over many gamers. This could be seen as a warning for Starfield’s potential spin-offs, but there’s optimism that an MMO format could work out much better for this grand space adventure.
A Starfield MMO Could Succeed Where Fallout 76 Failed
One of Fallout 76’s Biggest Problems Doesn’t Apply to Starfield
There’s no denying that Fallout 76 faced a host of bugs, performance hiccups, and some puzzling design decisions when it first launched. However, for a lot of players, the core issue ran deeper. The Fallout series, as indicated by its title, takes place in a bleak wasteland, depicting a version of America that has suffered from catastrophic nuclear disaster. Here are a few aspects that the Fallout universe does not embody:
- A densely populated sandbox
- A social hub
- A busy, bustling frontier teeming with human life
It’s possible to say that the qualities mentioned above, which are key to the classic MMO experience, clash with the storytelling and tone that define the Fallout series. This was a concern for dedicated fans as soon as Fallout 76 was revealed, causing a wave of anxiety even before the game launched. Even after years of adjustments, refinements, and significant content additions, this core mismatch still exists. However, a “Starfield 76” could sidestep this problem quite easily.
Starfield Has the Perfect Premise for an MMO Adaptation
The vast colonization of the galaxy by humanity provides a far more engaging setting for a massive online multiplayer game compared to a nuclear apocalypse. In Starfield, society has a clear structure, creating a rich interactive environment filled with diverse organizations, settlements, and factions, similar to what you’d find in World of Warcraft. It’s only natural to encounter other players busy with their own activities, as there’s so much more to explore and accomplish.
Alternatively, adding MMO features might improve some of Starfield’s more tedious elements, particularly the many vacant, lifeless planets. A game with a similar scope could transform this emptiness into a strategic advantage, enabling players to settle and develop these barren worlds. Other players could then come to visit or even launch attacks on their settlements. In this way, the MMO format could infuse more meaning into Starfield’s expansive, unoccupied regions.
Certainly, this is merely a guess, as it’s challenging to know what Bethesda has in store for the Starfield brand. Although it didn’t become the massive success the company was aiming for, it has significant potential, and BGS will likely want to build on what they’ve created. If it takes a cue from The Elder Scrolls and Fallout and transitions into an MMO, it could end up being the best of the series.
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