Summary
Starfield, Bethesda Game Studios' newest RPG, was undoubtedly one of last year’s biggest releases. The game, which takes many design staples of series likeFalloutandThe Elder Scrollsand adapts them to a space-faring backdrop, has received loads of praise for its charming worldbuilding, slow and steady RPG progression systems, and surprisingly engaging quest chains. With theShattered SpaceDLC on the way, the game will hopefully only continue to sharpen its strengths and smooth out its rough edges.
But for as enjoyable asStarfieldcan be, it hasn’t managed to capture the hearts of general gaming audiences in quite the same way as Bethesda’s other RPGs. As unfortunate as it is to admit, it seems thatStarfieldhas left a remarkably minor mark on the games industry as a whole as, although it was only released last fall, it seems like many have already moved on from it. Meanwhile, a game likeSkyrim, released nearly thirteen years ago, still feels like a major part of pop culture, with its music, lore, and characters all standing out as unforgettable pieces of gaming history. The same can be said for theFalloutseries, which has at least one memorable characteristic that could be transplanted intoStarfield.
Starfield Should Get a Fallout-Style Radio
Fallout’s Radio Channels Are a Stroke of Genius
Fallout’s iconic radio station featureis easily one of the best new ideas Bethesda brought to the table when taking over the franchise in 2007.Fallouts3through76all include a number of different channels that players can tune into at any moment via the Pip-Boy, strengthening immersion and worldbuilding to an incredible degree. Stations likeNew Vegas' Mojave Music Radio offer a diegetic way to engage with the nostalgia-laden tunes that are so fundamental to the quasi-retro vibe of the franchise, while something likeFallout 3’s Galaxy News Radio can provide players with some lighthearted podcast-esque fare while they travel through the harrowing wasteland.
These radio stations are entertaining in their own right, but their ultimate triumph is how they elevate the role-playing aspects of each game. Coupled withFallout’s incredible environmental storytelling, radio stations help inject life and personality into barren, oftentimes unpleasant worlds. They also offer tonal, narrative, and lore insights via a unique delivery method, as players are interacting with the world the way that an in-game character might.
Space Radio In Starfield Seems Like a No-Brainer
Naturally, a series likeThe Elder Scrollswouldn’t be a good fit for an equivalent toFallout’s radio stations, butStarfieldcertainly is. It might even seem a bit strange that the game lacks its own selection of radio stations, as an adaptation of the belovedFalloutfeature would feel natural and charming in the fantastical sci-fi experience.
Starfield’s space explorationcould be electrified by the inclusion of some setting-appropriate music or talk shows that could offer comedic, dramatic, or thought-provoking insights into the game’s broader universe. Overall, radio stations would add depth and character toStarfieldwhile making the vast ocean of space feel less cold and drab.
Currently, radio is the most common form of communication in space. Other concepts, such as infrared transmissions and interplanetary internet, have been conceived and are being developed, but there is reason to believe that radio would still be the dominant form of communication in a society with ubiquitous space travel.
WithBethesda still hard at work onStarfield, perhaps some radio stations could be patched into the game at some point, either through paid DLC or in a free update. If done well, the feature could be a relatively simple and cost-effective way to giveStarfielda bit more character, depth, and immersion.
Starfield
WHERE TO PLAY
Starfield is the first new universe in 25 years from Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4. In this next generation role-playing game set amongst the stars, create any character you want and explore with unparalleled freedom as you embark on an epic journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery.The year is 2330. Humanity has ventured beyond our solar system, settling new planets, and living as a spacefaring people. From humble beginnings as a space miner, you will join Constellation – the last group of space explorers seeking rare artifacts throughout the galaxy – and navigate the vast expanse of the Settled Systems in Bethesda Game Studios’ biggest and most ambitious game.
