Bethesda Game Studios has confirmed a raft of developments for Starfield, its space-faring adventure that invites players to head to the stars to make friends and fix interplanetary conflicts.
Firstly, the rumours were true. Starfield is officially launching on PlayStation 5 on 8 April. For those not entrenched in the Xbox or PC ecosystem, it’s a chance to finally dive in.
On the same date, Starfield is getting two major downloadable content updates: Free Lanes and Terran Armada.
Starfield updates – quick links
Free Lanes: Starfield’s free DLC update
Free Lanes is actually a free DLC update for Starfield. Landing on 8 April, it aims to address player feedback, including criticism of the game’s exploration system. Free Lanes introduces a complete overhaul to the Starfield experience by allowing players to explore between planets.
Previously, fast travel and instant teleporting between planetary systems meant the magic and wonder of exploring space was relatively dulled. Now, you will now be able to explore space freely. Selecting ‘cruise mode’ will activate the ability to fly past planets and encounter new items and obstacles while doing so.
At certain points in your travels, you’ll run across anomalies like meteor fields, which can be plundered for resources, including some new items.
Some of the additional new features for Free Lanes include new X-Tech to upgrade weapons, modified enemy tiers, a Moon Jumper vehicle, storage solutions, a Milliewhale pet, the ability to add Muria to your crew, a mini-bot companion, and the ability to bring select items into New Game+ mode.
Terran Armada: Starfield’s paid DLC story
In addition to the Free Lanes update, Starfield is also getting a new, paid story DLC on the same date.
Terran Armada introduces a new quest line taking place across various regions, including some new locations. New characters make their debut, and you’ll get new items and rewards as you complete each challenge.
Per the announcement, this journey will allow you to ‘shape the future of humanity in space’ as you fight the robotic forces of the titular Terran Armada.
As an added bonus for those keen to get cracking with new content, the Trackers Alliance bounty system has just now been updated. There are five new Trackers Alliance adventures to tackle, with new targets, contracts and rewards.
Anyone who purchased the original content will get these new adventures automatically. Newer players will need to fork out, with the complete set costing 700 Creation Credits (in-game currency, equivalent to around $13).
As Bethesda noted, this content update is planned as a refreshed start for Starfield, which had a rocky path to launch, and beyond.
Also on ScreenHub: In Europe, video games with paid loot boxes will soon get a minimum PEGI 16 age rating
The Pan European Game Information board has announced major changes to the age classification system for video games, with stricter rules put in place in the UK and Europe for titles that include paid, random loot boxes, communication features, in-game purchases, and more.
The biggest change by far is that all games with paid, random items – aka paid loot boxes – will automatically get a PEGI 16 rating, which means they are not recommended for those under the age of 16.
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