Highlights
The physics in Starfield are truly remarkable and lifelike, as evidenced by players who have accomplished incredible physics-based feats by utilizing console commands. One such feat involves stacking various items to create their own version of a domino game.
We chose to lock Starfield at 30 FPS in order to prioritize maintaining high quality and smooth gameplay. This decision was made because the complex CPU process of simulating physics for every object could potentially cause a decline in the frame rate if pushed beyond a certain point.
By implementing Havok Physics in Starfield, we are able to ensure precise and controlled calculations of object collisions. However, it is important to note that this also brings a higher likelihood of encountering unexpected outcomes and bugs, which may be familiar to fans of Bethesda games.
A trending online video showcases the impressive and realistic physics of Starfield. Similar to other games developed by Bethesda Game Studios, Starfield includes console commands that players have used to accomplish extraordinary physics-based feats.
There was much speculation about why Bethesda Game Studios made the decision to set Starfield's frame rate at 30 FPS. Director Todd Howard addressed this, stating that the team prioritized fidelity and consistency above all else. He suggested that while Starfield could run at a higher frame rate, allowing some breathing room would enhance the overall experience. When the game was launched, gamers naturally sought to push the boundaries, with one noteworthy example being the stacking of thousands of potatoes in a ship's cockpit. What amazed many developers was that each potato was individually simulating physics, a highly demanding CPU process that could significantly impact the frame rate if pushed too far. Starfield's physics capabilities extend well beyond just potatoes.
A YouTube video uploaded by Holy Moe titled "Starfield Rube Goldberg Machine" showcases a series of books stacked upright in a line. The player picks up a sandwich and approaches the books, causing them to fall one by one like dominoes. The final book triggers a chain reaction, as a soccer ball collapses a column of trays on stairs, followed by another set of books and meal packs. While it is a small-scale demonstration of Starfield's physics, the creator expresses a desire to create something more advanced.
Earlier this year, John Linneman from Digital Foundry, a group specializing in technical breakdowns of video games, observed that Starfield, like previous titles from Bethesda Game Studios, records the location of every item. More items near the player require increased computing power. Starfield utilizes Havok Physics to manage and fine-tune these calculations, ensuring that individual items do not propel at high speeds after colliding with other objects or the player. A humorous video illustrates this success in Starfield: a player navigating through floating milk cartons in space. The freedom given to players in Starfield also brings a higher risk of unexpected outcomes and bugs, a familiarity for Bethesda fans.
Xbox executives confidently stated prior to its launch that Starfield would be Bethesda Game Studios' least buggy project so far, and it appears that this statement has held true. Although the game does contain some of the occasional and expected bugs, such as floating entities and NPCs clipping through surfaces, it represents a substantial improvement when compared to the previous release of Fallout 76. Starfield is currently accessible on PC and Xbox Series X/S.
