Last week’s Xbox and Bethesda Showcase both highlighted Starfield’s character creation, and it looks like Bethesda has hidden a tiny easter egg in the system’s sliders.
Following last weekend’s gameplay reveal, fans were quick to dump the details, such as studio head Todd Howard’s confirmation that Starfield will include banking. Seen by u/Pomatomaster at Starfield subreddit (opens in new tab)this eagle-eyed fan has noticed that the character creation sliders look like gel electrophoresis bands.
For those unaware, gel electrophoresis bands are a research method used in molecular biology, which involves separating DNA fragments based on their size or weight. u/Pomatomaster explains that this involves the DNA sample being placed in “a large block of glorified gelatin” as an electrical current passes through it to separate these fragments.
fellow_genetics_nerds_rejoice_the_character from r/Starfield
It’s a process also used to sequence DNA, so – considering how DNA defines our own appearance – it’s only fair that Bethesda uses this for the creation of Starfield’s character.
Making this adventure yours
As with most Bethesda games, there are a wide range of customization options available for our Starfield protagonist. Changeable skin tones, hair colors, body details, eye color, all the usual options you would expect. This time though, Bethesda added ‘Background’ and ‘Traits’.
Backgrounds offer three starting abilities. Choosing ‘Gastronomy’ allows you to create unique food and drink recipes, while ‘Dueling’ gives you 10% extra melee damage. As for Traits, they shape your personality in more subtle ways. If you choose the ‘Introverted’ trait, for example, you will have more resistance when traveling alone, but less with companions. Unsurprisingly, you can’t mix diametrically opposed traits.
Just don’t expect voice options. Shortly after the presentation, Bethesda confirmed via twitter (opens in new tab) who opted for a first-person perspective with dialogue, and this time his character doesn’t speak. Bethesda has previously tried this in Fallout 4, an aspect that hasn’t been particularly well-received. As such, news of this change has been mostly positive.