Skip to main content
Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • BlizzCon 2026
  • Countdown to GTA 6
  • Join our monthly RPG Club
  • Game of the Week
  • G+RLS Podcast
  • GTA 6
  • Best gaming tech
  • RPG Hub
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. RPGs

Todd Howard explains Starfield's opening mission

News
By Austin Wood
Published 22 August 2023

Here's what you do before you even make your custom character

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Todd Howard at Gamescom
(Image credit: Gamescom / YouTube via Thegameawards)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

Bethesda boss Todd Howard visited Gamescom to explains Starfield's opening mission, giving increasingly impatient and hopeful fans a taste of what you do before you even make your character. 

"You start out as a miner and you touch this artifact that affects you in some way, and you see a bit into space-time," Howard begins. "Then you get to create your own character. Our games are about creating and being whoever you want. And then you're off on an adventure." 

"You're joining Constellation, which is the last kind of group of space explorers, like NASA meets Indiana Jones searching for these artifacts. The story goes a lot of places, the game has a lot of surprises that we haven't talked about. I don't want to spoil them here. Really, really happy with how the story turned out and where it goes." 

Latest Videos FromGamesRadar+
Watch full video here:

"Can't wait for you to play the game," Howard concluded.

Make sure you're ready for Starfield

Starfield release times
Starfield Early Access
Starfield preload
Starfield system requirements

It's a short summary, and Starfield's brief presentation only carved out a small spot in our Gamescom Opening Night Live blog altogether, but it's a handy and tantalizing primer on the RPG's first hour. It's interesting to hear that you don't actually customize your character until after your introduction to the world and this space-time anomaly. I'm reminded of the mid-execution character creator of Skyrim, but it sounds like Starfield will do a lot more than cart you into a village in its intro. 

You may like
  • Todd Howard Starfield reveal "Most people wanted" to make The Elder Scrolls 6 after Fallout 4, says Skyrim co-lead
  • The Expanse: Osiris Reborn The Expanse RPG gets even more Mass Effect with choices that “define the character you play"
  • Starfield Starfield "remains an important part of our future," Bethesda says

With launch fast approaching, Starfield details are still trickling in. Earlier today, Bethesda's publishing head Pete Hines confirmed that you can indeed explore an entire planet after landing on it. 

Weeks ahead of its official launch, Starfield is already being sold in stores, so be wary of spoilers online.

TOPICS
Todd Howard
PRODUCTS
Gamescom 2023 Starfield
Austin Wood
Austin Wood
Social Links Navigation
Senior writer

Austin has been a game journalist for 12 years, having freelanced for the likes of PC Gamer, Eurogamer, IGN, Sports Illustrated, and more while finishing his journalism degree. He's been with GamesRadar+ since 2019. They've yet to realize his position is a cover for his career-spanning Destiny column, and he's kept the ruse going with a lot of news and the occasional feature, all while playing as many roguelikes as possible.

Read more
Todd Howard Starfield reveal
RPGs "Most people wanted" to make The Elder Scrolls 6 after Fallout 4, says Skyrim co-lead
 
 
The Expanse: Osiris Reborn
Action RPGs The Expanse RPG gets even more Mass Effect with choices that “define the character you play"
 
 
Starfield
RPGs Starfield "remains an important part of our future," Bethesda says
 
 
Starfield screenshot of animated series The Settled Systems showing grimacing soldier
RPGs "We shouldn't have made it," says former Starfield lead about the "ambitious as hell" Bethesda RPG
 
 
Todd Howard Starfield explainer
The Elder Scrolls Now that The Elder Scrolls 6 is playable, Bethesda's RPG nightmare of its own making is nearly over
 
 
Todd Howard
Fallout Todd Howard considered retirement before being inspired by Bethesda devs working on Fallout 5 and Elder Scrolls 6
 
 
Latest in RPGs
Fable
RPGs After Forza Horizon, Fable devs wanted to prove "we could cut it in a different genre," lead says
 
 
The Blood of Dawnwalker protagonist Coen staring down at the camera as the sun shines behind him
RPGs The Blood of Dawnwalker was made on a budget of $40 million much like Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
 
 
Three characters ready for adventure in World Zero
RPGs All World Zero codes during Roblox the Hunt 20
 
 
Theodora lounges in a chair in Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave
RPGs Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave is my ideal RPG sequel and the Three Houses followup I always wanted
 
 
Cyberpunk 2077
The Witcher The Witcher 4 abandons CD Projekt Red's in-house tech for UE5, but not because of Cyberpunk 2077
 
 
The hero looks at a giant beanstalk growing out of a house in a lush village in Fable (2027) for Xbox Series X, a possible consequence of player action
RPGs Fable lead says "every single member of the team is first and foremost" a fan of the RPG series
 
 
Latest in News
Fable
RPGs After Forza Horizon, Fable devs wanted to prove "we could cut it in a different genre," lead says
 
 
Team Fortress 2 Scout in a hat and headset smiling
FPS Games Valve devs "can't believe we get away" with such small updates for Team Fortress 2, ex-writer says
 
 
World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft WoW Forever devs genuinely shocked the beta is so popular as they explain why servers keep breaking
 
 
Sci-Fi Movies Brad Pitt to return for World War Z sequel from Conclave director
 
 
Another Eden Begins male protagonist in yellow jacket
JRPGs Dev says it's "wonderful" JRPGs like Final Fantasy Resonance will be preserved in premium releases
 
 
Diablo 5 character concept art showing a mysterious figure with a cloaked hood, armor, and large wings
Diablo Diablo himself is the reason Diablo 5 is coming instead of more Diablo 4 expansions, says lead
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Fable
    1
    After Forza Horizon, Fable devs wanted to prove "we could cut it in a different genre," lead says: "There was a little bit of pride"
  2. 2
    Valve devs "can't believe we get away" with such small updates for Team Fortress 2 and Counter-Strike, ex-writer says
  3. 3
    "The craziest numbers I've seen in 17 years working at Blizzard": WoW Forever devs seem genuinely shocked the beta is so popular as they explain why their MMO servers keep breaking
  4. 4
    Brad Pitt to return for World War Z sequel from Conclave director
  5. 5
    As Final Fantasy Resonance drops its gacha baggage, another JRPG dev doing the same thinks it's "wonderful" these live-service games will be preserved

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...