Starfield: all confirmed factions and what we know

Starfield invites us to explore the far reaches of the galaxy as one of the most anticipated titles for this year. Bethesda Softworks once again turns to 11/11 as a talisman to try to mark another era of the open world RPG. They do so with new strength and with a publisher behind them, Xbox, which marks its exclusive launch for the Redmond ecosystem.

Few details are known at this time, let alone its current status in pictures. However, the studio has shared a few bits of information over the past few months. At least in part, the factions of this new universe have transcended. We compile the official information and what awaits us during our first steps.

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The Settled Systems, a new universe to discover

The adventure takes place in the year 2330 around a very small space in the Milky Way. The Settled Systems, as the game area is called, are located approximately 50 light years from our solar system. This extension of the world as we know it provides a "unique setting", as those responsible for the game emphasize.

The situation we face in the Settled Systems is one of fragile peace. Twenty years ago, the United Colonies and the Freestar Collective, the two main factions of the game, fought a civil war known as the Colony War. Two decades later the echoes of the bloody confrontation continue to resonate. A fragile peace has been established, and at any moment weapons may be raised again.

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Starfield's two major factions

The United Colonies are described by the team as "the future of space republic idealized" and represent the faction with the most military muscle. They are based in the capital of New Atlantis, an ever-expanding city that is "a true reflection of the future of our world," as Bethesda reveals.

Will Shen, chief mission designer on the project, defines the Freestar Collective as the "space western" representation. They are "people that are out there on the frontier," he adds. They take refuge inside the walls of the city of Akila to defend themselves from the Ashta, an alien threat.

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Constellation, your ticket to Starfield

Players will start as a newly inducted member of Constellation, a faction "committed to uncovering the mysteries of the galaxy," describes Emil Pagliarulo, Starfield's design director. Your task, like that of any other unit in the group, is to explore "the deepest reaches of the Colonized Systems".

It has not been specified if your participation in Constellation will be maintained over time or if at some point you can betray their interests. What we do know is that we will be able to join other factions of any moral court. The developers give as an example the Crimson Fleet, which in appearance are one of the hostile groups in the game. The player has in his hand to join them and turn the tables with his decisions. "One of the things that's cool about Crimson Fleet is: what if you're a good person and you want to be a good player. And you don't want to play as a bad guy? You can side with the pirates or you can report back to your superiors."

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Other Starfield factions

Ryujin Industries has caught the attention of users because of some of Bethesda's comments. Shen claimed that the start of this faction is "one of the best" available in Starfield. We will have to apply for one of the vacancies in this mega-corporation and prove that we have what it takes to get the job.

Todd Howard, head of the project, shared the creative vision behind these groups: "I love we're approaching in that way, where ok, 'What makes the world feel whole?' 'What are the groups' that would make it feel whole and believable?' And then, 'How does the player interact with them?'"

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The Xenofresh Corporation was born out of a curious history. They began as fishermen selling fresh fish in one of the maritime areas of the system. One day they discovered that the fish in the area produced Aurora, a chemical used as part of the production of psychoactive substances. Thanks to the profits from its sale, they built a spectacular capsule city (Neon) that rises above the sea.

At the moment, other factions have been identified for which there are no concrete data. About House Va'ruun, for example, we know that it is organized by religious fanatics. Other human groups are the Ecliptic Mercenaries and the Spacers.

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Starfield is on its way

Bethesda Softworks marks a specific date on the calendar: November 11, 2022. Starfield will debut on that day on Xbox X Series X|S and PC. Yes, the game is aimed solely at the new generation of supported consoles and computers. From day one it will remain in the Xbox Game Pass subscription catalog in all its modes.

The studio has high expectations: "Players are going to be amazed", said its design director. Recently we learned of the official presentation of VASCO, a robot character that is launched as the first confirmed companion. The only images of the game in real time, apart from its teaser trailer, date from the 2018 build leak. Are you ready to sail into the unknown?

Referencies:| Bethesda [1,2,3], Gamesradar