Bethesda Game Studios’ (BGS) next game is available for preload on Xbox Series, but on Steam, it might start to be too late…

The Starfield News Twitter account has reported how much space Todd Howard’s game needs. On Xbox Series, we’re talking 126.1 gigabytes. To give it context, we’ll explain why that’s massive: a PlayStation 5 physical release usually comes on a BDXL disc, and one of those optical discs can hold 100 GB of data. So Starfield would need two discs, and the situation would be similar on PC, where Howard’s new IP is even more significant, claiming 139.84 gigabytes. For a single-player game, that’s enormous, and we dread to think how much of that space is taken up by 4K textures and uncompressed audio…

BGS has also announced on Twitter that preload has started on Xbox Series as of August 17, but Steam users will have to wait until August 30 for the preload. Those who paid for the more expensive Premium edition can play from September 1. Can you download over 100 gigabytes for those without fast internet in two days? No way. That’s not fair of BGS; maybe they should bring the preload forward a day or two.

The studio held a short Q&A on Discord as Starfield went gold (going gold = the master disc from which the physical retail release is being made). You can play through each of the game’s factions’ storylines (you won’t be locked into one), and in some missions, you’ll be given dual agent roles. There’s no way to play through in a 100% pacifist way, although you’ll often have the opportunity to resolve your mission peacefully. In all the major cities, you can buy a house, sometimes simply, sometimes as a reward for completing a task. There will also be a prison system, but the prison guards are corrupt, meaning they will let you out if you have money, but you can also escape if you are brave. There are over twenty characters to choose from to board your ship; some will have interesting stories but no opportunity to level up. Everyone has a fixed level and ability.

Starfield will be released on September 1 (Premium)/6 for Xbox Series and PC, but will also be on Game Pass.

Source: WCCFTech