Starfield Initially Planned for a Very Different Ship Building System

In a recent interview, former Bethesda designer Bruce Nesmith revealed that Starfield was originally designed with a radically different ship-building system that focused on using outpost resources instead of credits. Despite facing some criticism, the game's ship builder has received widespread acclaim, allowing players to create unique designs or replicate iconic ships from other franchises.

The ship builder in Starfield features a modular design, meaning not every part is available at all ports, but all can be acquired if players have sufficient funds. Earning credits is relatively straightforward compared to the more challenging task of gathering resources, primarily used for constructing outposts and crafting equipment. Initially, however, the ship-building feature was intended to be more closely linked to the outpost system.

Nesmith shared in his interview with Kiwi Talkz that an ambitious idea for Starfield involved players mining materials and sending them to factories on different planets to produce ship modules for customization. “We envisioned a complete ecosystem where you could mine materials, send them to a factory on another world, and then use those modules to construct your own spaceships,” he explained.

Insights from the Former Designer on the Cut Feature

Nesmith explained that the team aimed to base the entire in-game economy around this resource-driven system. However, as development progressed, it contributed to feature creep, leading to its removal from the final game. Given that players found the task of gathering rare resources to be somewhat tedious, this decision likely benefited Starfield's overall player experience. The ease of accessing the ship builder has played a significant role in its popularity.

While mods could potentially reintegrate this original ship-building concept, they might struggle to create an engaging process for managing a network of interstellar factories. Outposts in Starfield are optional, and it could be argued that the ship builder itself isn't a compulsory mechanic. Players have enjoyed these features because they add fun rather than obligation. Looking ahead, it remains to be seen how Bethesda will continue to support the game post-launch, but the upcoming Shattered Space expansion aims to address player feedback in a significant way.