Starfield

Starfield

Developers
	Bethesda Game Studios
	id Software
Publishers
	Bethesda Softworks
Engines
	Creation Engine 2
Release dates
Windows	September 6, 2023
Reception
Metacritic	87
OpenCritic	87
IGDB	87
Taxonomy
Monetization	One-time game purchase, DLC, Subscription gaming service
Modes	Singleplayer
Pacing	Real-time
Perspectives	First-person, Third-person
Controls	Direct control
Genres	RPG, Action, Shooter
Vehicles	Space flight
Art styles	Realistic
Themes	Sci-fi

Starfield is a singleplayer action RPG developed by Bethesda Game Studios, with additional assistance by id Software, and published by Bethesda Softworks. The game marks the first new series created by Bethesda Game Studios since The Elder Scrolls in 1994.

Starfield released on Steam and the Microsoft Store on September 6, 2023, with the game also being included with Xbox Game Pass for PC. It was initially announced at E3 2018 and was given a 2022 release date at E3 2021, which was ultimately delayed to allow for additional development time.

Starfield introduces a new version of Creation Engine and features improved lighting and global illumination effects, alongside implementing technologies from id Software's id Tech engine. It also sees the addition of native 21:9 ultra-widescreen display and unlocked frame rates, which were absent in previous games by the developer.

The game released to generally positive reception from critics and the general gaming audience. Criticism has been raised about lacking performance, particularly on high-end Nvidia graphics cards, and the omission of DLSS and XeSS upscaling technologies without mods.

General information

Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source	DRM	Notes	Keys	OS
GamersGate		Premium Edition also available.
		Premium Edition also available.
Green Man Gaming		Premium Edition also available.
Humble Store		Premium Edition also available.
Microsoft Store		Xbox Play Anywhere. Included with Xbox Game Pass for PC. Premium Edition also available.
Steam		Premium Edition also available.

Version differences

Pre-orders included the Old Mars Skin Pack.

Premium Edition includes the Old Mars and Constellation skin packs, the Shattered Space expansion, digital artbook, original soundtrack, and five days early access to the game.

Monetization

Type	Notes
DLC	Additional single-player content.
One-time game purchase	The game requires an upfront purchase to access.
Subscription gaming service	Available via Xbox Game Pass for PC.

DLC and expansion packs

Name	Notes
Shattered Space	Story expansion
Old Mars Skin Pack	Included with pre-orders and Xbox Game Pass for PC
Constellation Skin Pack	Included with the Premium Edition

Essential improvements

Skip intro videos

Does not affect the copyright/health warning.

Delete or rename video files
Go to <path-to-game>\Data\Video. Delete or rename BGS_LOGO_1080p_BinkVersion.bk2. Notes Cannot be edited with the Xbox/Gamepass verson The game will fail an integrity check due to game files being removed or renamed being edited It is advised to use the non-destructive and non-invasive config file method of skipping intro videos

Add custom values to configuration file
Go to the configuration file(s) location. Create a new file called StarfieldCustom.ini, if it doesn't exist. Under [General], add or modify the following parameters: sIntroSequence= uMainMenuDelayBeforeAllowSkip=0

Hide Message of the Day

Add custom values to configuration file
Go to the configuration file(s) location. Create a new file called StarfieldCustom.ini, if it doesn't exist. Under [General], add or modify the following parameters: bEnableMessageOfTheDay=0

Utilities

Starfield Script Extender (SFSE)

Only compatible with the Steam version.

Expands the scripting capabilities of the game.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System	Location
Windows	%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Starfield\
Microsoft Store	XboxGames\Starfield\Content\Starfield.ini
Steam Play (Linux)	<SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/1716740/pfx/

Save game data location

System	Location
Windows	%USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Starfield\Saves\
Microsoft Store	%LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\BethesdaSoftworks.ProjectGold_3275kfvn8vcwc\SystemAppData\wgs\<user-id>
Steam Play (Linux)	<SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/1716740/pfx/

Save game cloud syncing

System	Native	Notes
OneDrive		Requires enabling backup of the Documents folder in OneDrive on all computers.
Steam Cloud
Xbox Cloud

Video

Display settings

Interface settings

Accessibility settings

Gameplay settings

Graphics feature	State	Notes
Widescreen resolution
Multi-monitor
Ultra-widescreen		21:9 aspect ratio supported with wider aspect ratios pillarboxed, see Ultra-widescreen.
4K Ultra HD
Field of view (FOV)		Hor+ scaling. See Field of view (FOV).
Windowed
Borderless fullscreen windowed
Anisotropic filtering (AF)		Default value is 4x, see Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Anti-aliasing (AA)		Forced TAA. See Anti-aliasing (AA) for a workaround. FSR can also be used as AA when Render Resolution Scale is at 100.
High-fidelity upscaling		FSR 2.2 Use Starfield Upscaler to replace FSR with DLSS 2 or XeSS. See also DLSS 3 mod.
Vertical sync (Vsync)
60 FPS and 120+ FPS		Some interface elements, such as the ship reticle, update at 30 FPS. See Mods.
High dynamic range display (HDR)		See the glossary page for potential alternatives.
Ray tracing (RT)

Ultra-widescreen

Modify the game executable to remove pillarboxing

Open <path-to-game>\Starfield.exe in a hex editor (e.g. HxD). Search for 8E E3 18 40 as hex. Replace it with 39 8E 63 40 for 32:9, or any other aspect ratio in hex. Save the changes. Notes Cannot be edited with the Xbox/Gamepass verson If done incorrectly can cause crashing or failure to launch and could stop working with future game updates. The game will fail an integrity check due to the executable binary being edited It is advised to use the config file method of removing below pillarboxing if possible, instead.

Modify the config file to remove pillarboxing

Go to the configuration file(s) location. Open StarfieldCustom.ini or create it if it does not exist. Add the following to the file: [Display] fWideAspectLimit=Y Y = This should be your exact aspect ratio as a decimal number. Use the table below for the proper Y value. Notes This fix cannot be used in conjunction with the HEX edit solution. Restore the original Starfield.exe or do a repair on the game if a backup hasn't been created. The fWideAspectLimit removes the pillarboxing at 32:9 resolutions. This also fixes the map custom marker that would always go to the far right when placing a custom a marker on a planet for a custom landing. Stops the interaction pop up from coming up when something or someone is off center or at the edge of the rendered resolution. The bPhotoModeLetterBoxed removes the pillarboxing when in photomode. All of these features work in first and third person be it on foot or flying a ship. The fWideAspectLimit will cause scoped weapons to be black until it reaches the edge of the 21:9 aspect ratio the game supports and it will show no obstruction. The same thing happens with the weapon wheel. Functionality is not effected. The frame rate may be impacted with any or all of all these changes. Weapons appear closer to the camera in first person.

Resolution	fWideAspectLimit=
1920x1080, 2560x1440, 3840x2160 (16:9)	1.7778
3440x1440, 3840x1600 (21.6:9, 24:10 (12:5))	2.4
5120x1440 (32:9)	3.5556
5120x1600, 3840x1200 (32:10 (16:5))	3.2
5120×2160 (64:27)	2.3704

Remove pillarboxing from Photo Mode
Go to the configuration file(s) location. Open StarfieldCustom.ini or create it if it does not exist. Add the following to the file: [Interface] bPhotoModeLetterBoxed=0

Change HUD position

Go to the configuration file(s) location. Open StarfieldCustom.ini or create it if it does not exist. Add the following to the file: [Interface] fSafeZoneXWide=X X = can be calculated and fine-tuned to move the HUD anywhere along the horizontal X-axis. Calculation formula: X = [Xresolution - Yresolution * (Xaspect/Yaspect)] / 2 Example #1 - 16:9 HUD at 3440x1440: [3440 - 1440 * (16/9)] / 2 = 440 Example #2 16:9 HUD at 3840x1440: [3840 - 1440 * (16/9)] / 2 = 640 Example #3 21:9 HUD at 5120x1440: [5120 - 1440 * (21/9)] / 2 = 880

Field of view (FOV)

Add custom values to configuration file
Go to the configuration file(s) location. Open StarfieldCustom.ini or create it if it does not exist. Under [Camera], add or modify the following parameters, where X is the desired value: fFPWorldFOV=X fTPWorldFOV=X Notes The default first-person Field of View is 85.0000 and the default third-person Field of View is 70.0000.

Borderless Windowed Mode

The game only allows for custom resolutions in windowed mode by default; this fix allows for custom resolutions with a borderless window.

Add custom resolutions to the in-game resolution list

Go to the configuration file(s) location. Open StarfieldCustom.ini or create it if it does not exist. Add the following along with the desired resolution(s): [Display] sSupportedResolutionsList=1280x720, 1366x768, 1440x900, 1600x900, 1680x1050, 1920x1200, 1920x1080, 2560x1080, 2560x1440, 2560x1600, 3440x1440, 3840x1600, 5120x1440, 5120x1600, 3840x2160, 5120×2160 Notes This is only required if you wish to run the game in (borderless) windowed on an unsupported resolution

Enable borderless windowed mode and allow custom resolutions
Go to the configuration file(s) location. Open StarfieldPrefs.ini. Edit the following in the StarfieldPrefs.ini: bBorderless=1 bFull Screen=0 iSize H=H iSize W=W Where H is your desired vertical resolution (e.g. 1080) and W is your desired horizontal resolution (e.g. 1920).

Anisotropic filtering (AF)

Edit the custom configuration file to enable 16x filtering
Go to the configuration file(s) location. Open StarfieldCustom.ini or create it if it does not exist. Insert the following lines in the file: [Display] fMaxAnisotropy=16.0000

Anti-aliasing (AA)

Disable temporal anti-aliasing (TAA) through a config file:
Go to the configuration file(s) location. Open StarfieldCustom.ini or create it if it does not exist. Insert the following lines in the file: [Display] bTemporalAA_idTech7=0 Notes It is also possible to toggle TAA through the game console, but the change will not persist between game restarts.

Input

Controls settings

Keyboard and mouse	State	Notes
Remapping
Mouse acceleration		Mouse acceleration forced by default[citation needed]
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
Full controller support
Controller remapping
Controller sensitivity
Controller Y-axis inversion

Controller types

XInput-compatible controllers
Xbox button prompts
Impulse Trigger vibration

PlayStation controllers		See the glossary page for potential workarounds.

Generic/other controllers		See the glossary page for potential workarounds.

Additional information
Controller hotplugging
Haptic feedback
Digital movement supported
Simultaneous controller+KB/M		Option to disable automatic input switching.

• 

  Key bindings (1 of 3)

• 

  Key bindings (2 of 3)

• 

  Key bindings (3 of 3)

Sync Y-axis mouse movement with X-axis mouse movement

Change the Pitch ratio in the config file
Navigate to %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Starfield. Open StarfieldCustom.ini or create it if it does not exist. Add the following: [Controls] fIronSightsPitchSpeedRatio=1 fPitchSpeedRatio=1

Change the Mouse Heading Y-Scale Value according to Aspect Ratio in the config file

Navigate to %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Starfield. Open StarfieldCustom.ini or create it if it does not exist. Add the following: [Controls] fMouseHeadingXScale=0.021 fMouseHeadingYScale= The fMouseHeadingYScale= value is calculated by multiplying the fMouseHeadingXScale= value by the quotient of the horizontal and verticals screen resolution (aspect ratio): fMouseHeadingXScale * (aspect ratio) Example #1: 0.021 * (12/5) Example #2: 0.021 * (3840/1600) You can use the table below for the exact fMouseHeadingYScale= value, instead of the formula.

Resolution	Aspect Ratio	fMouseHeadingYScale=
1920x1080, 2560x1440, 3840x2160 (16:9)	1.7778	0.0373
3440x1440, 3840x1600 (21.6:9, 24:10 (12:5))	2.4	0.0504
5120x1440 (32:9)	3.5556	0.0747
5120x1600, 3840x1200 (32:10 (16:5))	3.2	0.0672
5120×2160 (64:27)	2.3704	0.0498

Notes

Need additional verification for the exact fMouseHeadingYScale= values

Audio

Audio settings

Audio feature	State	Notes
Separate volume controls
Surround sound		Surround LPCM audio. No Dolby Atmos support.
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost		Game pauses when window is not active
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language	UI	Audio	Sub	Notes
English
Traditional Chinese				Fan translation mods: Unofficial Traditional Chinese Translation or Translation Chinese (zh-Hans To zh-Hant).
Simplified Chinese
French
German
Italian
Japanese
Polish
Brazilian Portuguese
Russian				Fan translation, download.
Spanish

Changing interface language

Edit configuration file
Go to the configuration file(s) location. Create a new file called StarfieldCustom.ini, if it does not exist. Under [General], add or modify the following parameters, where X is the desired value: sLanguage=x Set sLanguage=en for English, sLanguage=de for German, etc.

VR support

3D modes	State	Notes
vorpX		User created game profile, see vorpx forum for introduction.

Stereoscopic 3D

Enable stereoscopic 3D

Install Reshade with full Add-On Support, inclusive the complete Effect Package Depth3D BlueSkyDefender In the ingame Reshade menu activate SuperDepth3D_VR, follow instructions (Home-Key on keyboard for Menu) Download Generic_Depth_Mod.Addon64, copy it next to your Starfield.exe In the ingame Reshade menu install generic_depth_mod.addon64 (Add-On Tab) Launch Side by Side 3D on your 3D Compatible TV/Monitor + 3D Glasses or Install Vorpx Desktop Viewer or Depth3D VR Companion App

Other information

API

Technical specs	Supported	Notes
Direct3D	12

Executable	32-bit	64-bit	Notes
Windows

Middleware

	Middleware	Notes
Audio	Wwise
Cutscenes	Bink Video	v2023.02

Mods

StarUI Inventory

Improves display and functionality of inventory menus.

Undelayed Launching

Bypasses all introduction screens, including the copyright/health warning and Bethesda logo. Increases main menu frame rate up to 120 FPS.

Undelayed Menus

Improves responsiveness of the in-game menus and increases menu frame rate up to 120 FPS.

BetterHUD

Provides a more immersive HUD.

Smooth Ship Reticle (120FPS Smooth UI)

Changes the ship targeting reticle to update at 120 FPS, instead of the default 30 FPS.

Baka Achievement Enabler (SFSE)

Requires Starfield Script Extender (SFSE) and is not compatible with the Microsoft Store version of the game.

Prevents Steam achievements from being disabled and save games being flagged as modded from using mods or console commands.

Achievement Enabler

Does not require Starfield Script Extender (SFSE) and is compatible with the Microsoft Store version of the game.

Prevents Steam achievements from being disabled and save games being flagged as modded from using mods or console commands.

System requirements

Windows
	Minimum	Recommended
Operating system (OS)	10 22H2	10/11 with updates
Processor (CPU)	AMD Ryzen 5 2600X Intel Core i7-6800K	AMD Ryzen 5 3600X Intel Core i5-10600K
System memory (RAM)	16 GB	16 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD)	125 GB	125 GB
Video card (GPU)	AMD Radeon RX 5700 Nvidia GeForce 1070 Ti DirectX 12 compatible	AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080
Other	SSD required

A 64-bit operating system is required.