Starfield has garnered significant attention, not only for its expansive universe but also for its recent Creations storefront update.
Despite the excitement surrounding new content, a wave of discontent has emerged among players, resulting in over 500 negative reviews on Steam within the last 48 hours.
The Launch of the Creations Storefront
The introduction of Bethesda’s Creations storefront has been a double-edged sword for Starfield. While the Creation Kit itself is free to download, it also opens the door to a mix of free and paid add-ons. These add-ons are created by both Bethesda and the gaming community, offering new missions, skins, and other in-game enhancements.
However, the release of a particular mission, The Vulture, priced at 700 Starfield Creation Credits (approximately £6.30), has sparked significant controversy.
The Vulture: A Contentious Addition
The Vulture is the second mission in the Trackers Alliance series, following the initial mission, The Starjacker, which is available for free. The announcement of more missions in this series has only added to the players’ concerns. The relatively high price for a single quest has been a major point of contention, with many fearing that this sets a precedent for future paid content in Starfield.
Bethesda’s blog post outlined the premise of these missions: “Trackers Alliance establishes the first of several missions enabling you to live your best bounty-hunting life. The first mission, The Starjacker, will have you in contact with a mysterious Tracker located in settlements throughout the Settled Systems. From there, let the hunts begin! The second Trackers Alliance mission, The Vulture, is available within the new Creations menu. And what bounty hunter is without their trusted methods to get the job done?”
Pricing and the Economics of Creation Credits
One of the core issues that has inflamed the community is the pricing structure of Starfield Creation Credits. Players are unable to purchase the exact amount needed for specific items. For example, to buy The Vulture, which costs 700 Credits, players must purchase 1000 Credits for £9, leaving them with 300 Credits unused unless they spend more.
The introduction of these Creation Credits has been seen by many as a veiled attempt to encourage players to spend more money. With items such as a new spacesuit, observatory building, and gun skin available for free, Bethesda has attempted to sweeten the deal. However, the overall sentiment remains sour, particularly when lower-cost items like the Constellation Plushie Set for 300 Credits, or higher-cost items like the Ancient Mariner Module for 1000 Credits, come into play.
Community Reaction and Reviews
The player backlash has been swift and severe. Negative reviews on Steam have highlighted several recurring themes:
- Curated Paid Mods: Many players are frustrated by what they perceive as another push for paid mods. One reviewer noted, “Really? Another push for curated paid mods no one asked for?”
- High Cost for Single Quests: The £7 price tag for a single mission has been widely criticized. “£7 for a single quest is absurd. The game isn’t even finished. I still routinely get enemies clipping through the geometry,” one player wrote.
- Incomplete Game Issues: Some reviews have pointed out that the game itself still has unresolved issues. “Not recommended until these $7 single mission experiments end,” wrote a third reviewer. “Would have recommended right up til that decision. Modders make better content for free in a fraction of the time.”
In summary, the launch of Starfield’s Creations storefront and the ensuing backlash underscore the complex dynamics of modern game development and monetization. While the introduction of new content can breathe fresh life into a game, it must be done with careful consideration of the player base’s expectations and the value proposition of the content offered. Bethesda now faces the task of regaining player trust and ensuring that future updates and expansions align more closely with the community’s desires.
Arya Kamandanu