Starfield’s vast universe has sparked much debate, especially when compared to Skyrim’s iconic open world. With over 1,000 planets to explore, is Starfield truly bigger than Skyrim? Let’s delve into a detailed map comparison to uncover the answer.
Starfield’s Galaxy Dwarfs Skyrim’s Province
Boasting 1,000 planets, each with explorable terrain, Starfield dramatically surpasses Skyrim in size. Skyrim’s map, roughly 15 square miles, is comparable to a single planet in Starfield. While a foot journey across Skyrim takes about 3 hours, traversing just one terrain tile in Starfield could take around an hour. This illustrates the sheer scale of Bethesda’s new space epic.
Starfield’s Map Size Compared to Other Bethesda Games
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Previously, The Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall held the title of the largest Bethesda game with a map size of 62,394 square miles. However, pre-release estimates suggest Starfield could boast a staggering 1,000,000 square miles of traversable space.
Here’s a table comparing map sizes of various Bethesda titles:
| Bethesda Title | Map Size |
|---|---|
| Starfield | 1,000,000 mi² (estimated) |
| The Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall | 62,394 mi² |
| Fallout 3 | 16 mi² |
| The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim | 14.3 mi² |
| Fallout: New Vegas | 13.4 mi² |
| Fallout 4 | 10.8 mi² |
| The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind | 9.3 mi² |
The Power of Procedural Generation in Starfield
Starfield leverages procedural generation to create its expansive environments. This technique enables the developers to craft a galaxy filled with 100 star systems and over 1,000 planets. Bethesda first utilized procedural generation in 1996 with The Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall, resulting in one of the largest game maps of its time. This technology plays a crucial role in building Starfield’s vast universe.
Starfield vs. No Man’s Sky: A Universe of Difference
While Starfield’s scope is impressive, it doesn’t quite reach the scale of No Man’s Sky, which boasts an estimated 18 quintillion planets. No Man’s Sky uses procedural generation to create entirely new planets, while Starfield uses it to generate diverse biomes and terrains within a fixed number of planets. Both games utilize procedural generation, but their implementation and overall scale differ significantly.
Conclusion: Starfield’s Size is a Game Changer
Starfield’s massive scale, dwarfing even Skyrim, sets a new standard for Bethesda games. While not as expansive as No Man’s Sky, the sheer number of planets and the potential for exploration promises an unparalleled experience for players. Starfield launched on September 6, 2023, for PC and Xbox Series X|S.
