Torrentgame – Bethesda’s Starfield has immense potential to expand its gameplay through an overhaul of the current crime and bounty system, especially with the release of the upcoming Starborn DLC. The current mechanics surrounding piracy and criminal activity often feel like a hindrance rather than an immersive roleplaying opportunity. With some thoughtful updates inspired by The Elder Scrolls series and broader game design principles, Starfield could turn the pirate lifestyle into a fully-fledged and rewarding playstyle.
Why the Current Crime System Falls Short
In Starfield, the bounty system punishes players severely for crimes, creating a cascade of escalating consequences. For example:
- Unpayable Bounties: Even minor crimes like stealing can quickly spiral into enormous bounties as players are forced to defend themselves, adding further fines with each ship destroyed.
- All-or-Nothing Playstyle: The game forces players to either fully commit to piracy, effectively locking them out of civilized areas, or avoid crime entirely to access the game’s broader content.
This system turns what should be a thrilling pirate adventure into a frustrating grind where exploration and interaction are severely limited. The lack of depth in the current system misses the mark for those looking to embrace a rogue lifestyle.
Lessons from The Elder Scrolls
Bethesda has successfully handled crime mechanics before, particularly in The Elder Scrolls. Here are a few elements that Starfield could incorporate:
- Faction Depth: Similar to the Thieves Guild or Dark Brotherhood, the Crimson Fleet could offer more detailed missions, perks, and ties to the main story.
- Social Mechanics: Persuasion, bribery, and intimidation could allow players to navigate sticky situations creatively, rather than forcing combat or surrender.
- Safe Havens: Outlaw-friendly areas like hidden bases or asteroid colonies could serve as hubs for missions, trading, and resupplying without fear of attack.
How the Starborn DLC Can Fix the Outlaw System
To make the pirate lifestyle viable and engaging, the Starborn DLC should introduce the following:
1. Reputation System
A reputation system could add nuance to piracy. Committing crimes would earn respect within criminal factions like the Crimson Fleet and grant access to:
- Exclusive missions.
- Ship upgrades designed for smuggling or combat.
- Black market access for rare items and contraband.
However, betraying criminal allies could have consequences, such as targeted revenge missions or losing access to faction benefits.
2. Expanded Smuggling Mechanics
Current smuggling gameplay is limited to hiding contraband. The DLC could include:
- Secret trade routes and contacts for high-risk, high-reward missions.
- Planning tools to evade scans or set up decoys.
- More meaningful contraband trading, such as laundering money or manipulating markets.
3. Pirate-Specific Ship Customizations
Players could unlock piracy-focused ship upgrades, including:
- Cloaking devices for evasion.
- Jamming systems to disable enemy ships.
- Reinforced hulls or counter-boarding measures for better survivability.
4. Dynamic Bounty System
Rather than simply increasing patrols, bounties could involve:
- Unique bounty hunter factions with varying levels of skill, ship types, and tactics.
- Options to negotiate, bribe, or sabotage bounty hunters.
- The ability to take on bounties against rivals, creating a complex web of alliances and betrayals.
5. Identity Forgery and Disguises
Allowing players to create fake identities or holographic disguises could enable them to infiltrate secure areas, access faction missions, or escape relentless patrols. Forged documents, physical alterations, or advanced disguises would provide more tools for roleplay and stealth.
Why This Overhaul Matters
The Starborn DLC represents a critical opportunity for Bethesda to address core gameplay flaws in Starfield. By introducing a robust outlaw system, the DLC could:
- Offer a deeper and more immersive experience for players who want to roleplay as pirates or smugglers.
- Remove the all-or-nothing restrictions of the current system.
- Bring Starfield closer to the rich and varied roleplaying experiences found in The Elder Scrolls.
Without these changes, the pirate lifestyle in Starfield risks remaining a shallow and punitive experience. By leaning into the freedom and creativity that Bethesda games are known for, the Starborn DLC could make Starfield the definitive spacefaring RPG.
