Summary
AStarfieldplayer is treated to a gorgeous view when they happen upon a moon orbiting impossibly close to its gas giant. Bethesda Game Studios' latest single-player RPG,Starfieldlaunched in September and amassed ten million players in three weeks, topping sales charts and becoming Bethesda’s fastest-selling game ever.
A major part ofStarfield’s allure is allowing players to hop in their spacecrafts and traverse a game world containing over 100 unique star systems and 1,000 planets and moons to land on. Many of these star systems are loaded with gas giants, barren moons, asteroid fields, goldilocks planets that harbor life, and more. Some explorers have come across some truly breathtaking views of gas planets from the surfaces of moons, andStarfield’s photo modeencourages players to look out for moments like these as they roam the stars.
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One player discovered a particularmoon inStarfieldthat orbits its gas-giant planet so closely that they almost appear to be touching. On Reddit, ultra99999 posted a stunning photo mode image of said moon from space and several more from down on the surface. On the moon, the wavy tan gas planet dominates the sky, making for an incredibly impressive view that would serve as an enticing and enveloping backdrop for an outpost.
Beneath the post, ultra99999 added that this specific moon is called Pontem and orbits Etherea in the Wolf star system. The Wolf system is an early game location and is in very close proximity tosome ofStarfield’s starting systemslike Narion, Sol, and Alpha Centauri. Since Pontem is accessible so early on, it’s puzzling as to why it’s only just now being discovered over two months past launch. One commenter under the post mentioned the possibility that this seems to be a bug, as they checked Pontem in their own game and didn’t find the same dramatic scene. Supporting this theory, others discuss that in reality, a moon orbiting this closely would almost surely collide with the planet. However, since all the planets and moons inStarfieldmove in real-time, it’s possible that Pontem’s orbit around Etherea is elliptical and that ultra99999 arrived at the moon at just the right time.
It would surely be disappointing if it’s true that ultra99999’s discovery is just a bug, as many players would certainly want to experience a moment like this for themselves. Nevertheless,Starfield’s real-time orbit system continues to surprise players with incredible scenes as they explore the Settled Systems. It’ll be interesting to know ifStarfield’s upcoming Shattered Space DLCwill add any more star systems, and if so, whether they’ll feature any moon orbits as astonishing as Pontem’s dance around Etherea, bugged or not.
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Starfield is the first new universe in 25 years from Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4. In this next generation role-playing game set amongst the stars, create any character you want and explore with unparalleled freedom as you embark on an epic journey to answer humanity’s greatest mystery.The year is 2330. Humanity has ventured beyond our solar system, settling new planets, and living as a spacefaring people. From humble beginnings as a space miner, you will join Constellation – the last group of space explorers seeking rare artifacts throughout the galaxy – and navigate the vast expanse of the Settled Systems in Bethesda Game Studios’ biggest and most ambitious game.
