Summary
Bethesda’s space RPGStarfieldis now over eight months old, but it is still pushing out updates to give players a better experience, even ahead of the release of its anticipated Shattered Space DLC. One ofStarfield’s more recent updates brought some massive changes to the game — some of which players have been requesting since the game’s launch last September.Update 1.11.36 is one ofStarfield’s biggest updates yet, bringing new gameplay and difficulty options, interior ship decoration, and new display options for the Xbox Series X to the game, all of which are long overdue. However, one addition in the recent update is arguably its most standout and requested feature: improved surface maps.
WhenStarfieldlaunched, despite the praise it might have received for other aspects of the game, one of its loudest criticisms targeted its atypical surface maps. In fact, many players initially assumedStarfield’s original map system was bugged, as it would only show various points of interest, but not the pathways necessary to get to them. Furthermore,Starfield’s former map system neglected to show players vendors or otherwise important locations. Thankfully, the new and improved map system with update 1.11.36 changes all of that, even to the point of including a somewhat hidden feature that some might not readily be aware of.
Starfield’s Improved Map System Includes an Immersive Hidden Feature
How Starfield’s Improved Map System Works
Originally,Starfield’s surface maps were almost non-existent. It could be argued that it would be inappropriate to even classify them as maps since they hardly revealed anything about a location or gave players any semblance of direction. As they once were,Starfield’s surface mapswere empty and blue, with only the area’s main point of interest icons displayed. Fortunately, update 1.11.36 improves them with a massive overhaul made to their design and functionality.
When players open their map inStarfieldafter the 1.11.36 update, they can view a top-down three-dimensional render of the area, with more than just the primary points of interest highlighted for them. Now, the precise locations ofStarfield’s vendorsare also visible, and since the maps show a three-dimensional version of the cities these vendors are in, players can better discern which paths will lead them to the vendors. Furthermore, the maps also show players the location of various ships and outposts on the surface, including their own. This is precisely where an immersive functionality with the new maps comes into play that may not be immediately noticeable.
Starfield’s New Surface Maps Update in Real-time
Bethesda clearly heard the outcry for better surface maps inStarfield, and it seems the developer has gone above and beyond what was requested or perhaps even expected to begin with. The update to the maps to make them more intuitive is arguably already more than enough, but the maps also now update in real-time, which simultaneously affects any changes that may happen on the surface of one ofStarfield’s planets, like when players move their ship from one location to another. However, these real-time updates go beyond simply updating locations, and this is all thanks to the three-dimensional rendering of the maps.
SinceStarfield’s new surface maps display a three-dimensional image of everything on a planet’s surface, this means any changes players make to their ships and outposts are also shown on the map in real time. If players add an extension to theiroutpost inStarfield, it will be displayed as such on the new maps. Additionally, if any changes are made to players' ships, whether it be a new addition to the ship or a new ship entirely, the map will be immediately updated to reflect those changes. This both increasesStarfield’s immersion and shows Bethesda’s commitment to its space RPG and the fans who continue returning to it.
Starfield
WHERE TO PLAY
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.
