Starfield's Outpost System Lacks Depth According to Renowned Fallout 4 Mod Creator

King Gath, the mastermind behind the stellar 'Sim Settlements' and 'Sim Settlements 2' mods for Fallout 4, has voiced his thoughts on the outpost system in Bethesda's upcoming space RPG, Starfield. The popular mod creator, who won acclaim for his innovative overhaul of Fallout 4's settlement system, shared his initial impressions of Starfield's outpost system despite admitting that he is not an expert on it yet.

The mod creator expressed his appreciation for Starfield's improved interface, likening the outpost system to a simplified version of games like Factorio or Satisfactory. He lauded the game's shift in focus that puts the Contraptions DLC of Fallout 4 at the forefront. However, Gath also highlighted a few areas where Starfield's outpost system falls short, particularly when compared to the settlement system of Fallout 4.

Gath lamented the lack of structural foundations for production machinery in Starfield's outposts. He stressed the importance of visual organization tools such as snap-together platforms, color coding, and labeling for machines. He also wished for more art variety in the machines to differentiate what each machine produces, rather than having them all look like generic fabricators.

The modder also expressed his disappointment with the human element in Starfield's outpost system. In contrast to Fallout 4, where settlements required the provision of beds, food, and water for inhabitants, the inhabitants of Starfield's outposts can simply be hired with cash. Gath argued that the need for human needs to be met is what makes Bethesda games appealing, and he misses this aspect in Starfield. He believes that this decision makes the inhabitants of outposts "meaningless" and feels disconnected from Bethesda's signature style.

Despite his criticisms, Gath expressed his desire to see fully decorated habitat modules in Starfield, similar to the interior ship modules. He stated that it would be more enjoyable to decorate a single home ship rather than dozens of outposts by hand. As for whether he will create mods for Starfield, Gath's response was uncertain. His involvement heavily depends on how much he enjoys the game and whether he still has an appetite for it when official modding tools are released. If he remains invested, we may see a version of his 'Sim Settlements' mod in Starfield, which he tentatively titled 'Sim Colonies'.