Data from Starfield’s Xbox achievements shows that almost half of the game’s players on the platform have not joined Constellation, the main faction. Constellation was heavily promoted before the game’s release and is important to Starfield’s main story and exploration. You can’t beat the main storyline without joining them, but I cannot blame players for refusing to.
Despite Constellation being an early goal that’s easy to reach, many players seem to ignore the main story (thanks, True Achievements). There are a few reasons this could be happening. Starfield’s huge galaxy and all its side tasks might distract players from the main quest. They could get caught up exploring planets, doing side jobs, or getting involved with other groups and end up forgetting about Constellation.
I honestly believe it’s because Constellation is the dullest faction in the game. You are forced to deal with them for too long initially, and they’re whiney. I only played their faction line the first time I played the game, but I quickly left for the other factions. The other factions and gameplay are far more interesting. Constellation feels like a chore and is too self-righteous. It’s weird, but it’s like they’re taking away your choice to play the way you want by making you join Constellation, just like the Minutemen in Fallout 4.
The launch of Starfield received mixed feedback, which might have contributed to Constellation’s low engagement. Some players who were disappointed with the game may have been less inclined to pursue the main story. Early achievement data revealed that 25% of Xbox players didn’t even reach space, indicating that a significant portion of the player base quit soon after starting.
This is similar to Ubisoft’s issue with 40% of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla players never reaching England. England is where most of the story takes place.
It does take a while to get to space, and you have to deal with a story you’re unfamiliar with that’s told in a way that isn’t appealing. The beginning of Starfield is possibly the worst opening to any Bethesda game. Starfield’s availability on Game Pass is probably the main reason so many people stuck with it. Players who use Game Pass to play Starfield might be more inclined to try the game without committing to a full purchase.
The upcoming Shattered Space expansion DLC has the potential to spark renewed interest in Starfield’s main storyline and give players a reason to come back and continue through the Constellation narrative. We’ll have to wait and see.
Comments