Starfield might well be years away, but a new interview with Todd Howard has suggested that the game could offer Bethesda's largest map yet.
Speaking as part of the Develop: Brighton conference, Howard noted that the map is expected to be larger than anything else Bethesda has created.
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Starfield Will Offer Bethesda's Largest Map Yet, According To Todd Howard
You can check out the full interview here:
While the sci-fi adventure could be formed of multiple planets, it's worth remembering that Bethesda's current largest landmass is Fallout 76 – itself four times the size of Skyrim.
Howard noted that the game will use procedural generation to sculpt much of its environment, with specific regions then handcrafted.
Howard also noted that NPCs will play a "larger role" in helping the map feel more lively.
Part of that sounds like it could be facilitated by a new engine upgrade.
It's no secret that Bethesda Game Studios' Creation engine is getting a little long in the tooth, with the tech being used for Skyrim (as well as the PS4 and Xbox One versions), Fallout 4, and Fallout 76.
Howard noted that the engine improvements represent a "larger jump [in quality] than that from Morrowind to Oblivion".
Specifically noted are rendering, animation, and AI – pretty much the trifecta of Bethesda's clunky engine elements at present.
For more on Starfield, check out some leaked screenshots.