It's been some time since Bethesda last shared new information about Starfield, its upcoming sci-fi action-RPG. A month ago Bethesda introduced fans to three of Starfield's unique locations, as well as the people that reside in each. Now Bethesda is back with another Starfield video delving into the universe players will soon be exploring. The latest video is named The Settled Systems and provides a brief introduction to Starfield's setting and the state of it as players will begin their adventure.
The video starts with Bethesda design director Emil Pagliarulo saying that the Settled Systems are a part of "our" Solar System, though the graphic shown reveals the Settled Systems to be a unique, fictional solar system 50 light-years away from Sol and Earth. Bethesda design director likely meant to say Starfield takes place within "our" galaxy, the Milky Way. Additionally, Starfield will take place in the year 2330, around 300 years into the future.
Pagliarulo then decides to pull back in the timeline by 20 years, jumping to 2310. He explains that at this time in Starfield's timeline a major event occurs. A war between the two largest factions in the Settled Systems takes place at this time. The United Colonies and the Freestar Collective fought in what's been named the Colony War. 20 years later, when Starfield takes place, the two factions are currently at peace. Pagliarulo does describe this peace as "uneasy," however.
From there, Pagliarulo delves into some of the "human threats" that players will encounter in Starfield. In other words, enemy Starfield factions that players will likely encounter on their adventures. These include the Ecliptic Mercenaries, which appear to be heavily armored in hi-tech gear, the pirates of the Crimson Fleet, whose suits seem more thrown together, violent spacers who look like disgruntled space workers, and the religious zealots of House Va'ruun, who are left unshown.
Lastly, the video touches on the player's organization and how it fits into the Settled Systems. Constellation's goal is to "uncover the mysteries of the galaxy." Players will take on the role of a new member of Constellation and as such will explore the Settled Systems and all it offers.
Tying into Starfield's previous videos, one can connect the United Colonies to the city of New Atlantis, its capital city, and the Freestar Collective to its own capital, Akila, both of which should be visitable. Suffice to say, players will likely be involved in some sort of diplomacy between the two factions. Skyrim fans will jump to the idea of Bethesda revisiting the Stormcloak and Imperial Legion factions. A galaxy awaits for Starfield players to discover.
Starfield releases November 11, 2022, on PC and Xbox Series X/S.