Bethesda's epic space RPG Starfield is right around the corner and springing leaks left and right, with one revealing a 'Boundary Reached' message that's caused concern with some fans.
Starfield is currently in the hands of reviewers, influencers, and some other players who have illegally obtained it, and while sharing any real details is against the terms set out in Bethesda's non-disclosure agreement, some tidbits have made it online regardless.
One video of alleged leaked gameplay showed a player running in one direction for around 10 minutes before a 'Boundary Reached' message appeared on screen. "Open the map to explore another region, or return to your ship," it said, giving the player the option to fast travel to their ship, open the planet map, or close the message. Choosing to close the message would let the player continue for a few steps before hitting an invisible wall that halted progression.
Yup, if you want.
— Pete Hines (@DCDeacon) August 22, 2023
Walk on, brave explorer.
At first glance the gameplay contradicts Bethesda's messaging, including an August 22 tweet from head of publishing Pete Hines. In response to a player asking if they can explore a "whole entire planet" after landing on it, Hines said: "Yup, if you want. Walk on, brave explorer." The executive said he'd played Starfield for at least 130 hours as of August 25.
Some fans, upon seeing the alleged leaked gameplay, have therefore claimed Bethesda is lying, and that Starfield isn't a fully explorable galaxy as was promised. However, some people currently playing the game have vaguely rebuked those complaining.
As reported by Kotaku, streamer Darrius Fears tweeted to deny the 'Boundary Reached' message is a persistent issue. "You guys probably already saw this screenshot flying around and people saying, 'you can't explore planets, Bethesda lied.'
"Guys, there is nothing stopping you from exploring the planet. It just may be a loading screen or you may have to land at the next spot (a short loading or cutscene) to continue exploring the same planet."
Windows Central's Jez Corden appeared to agree: "It's not accurate info nor the full story. Can't say more than that really. Wait for the review embargo to lift," he said on Twitter. "The half truths being spread are done in bad faith sometimes."
Just wait for the reviews. The half truths being spread are being done in bad faith sometimes.
— Jez (@JezCorden) August 26, 2023
Another member of the media, Forbes' Paul Tassi, weighed in too: "The Starfield 'Boundary Reached' drama is very stupid, that's all I'll say." The extent of the issue (for lack of a better word) won't be clear until everyone currently playing Starfield can talk about it openly when the embargo lifts on August 31.
Starfield is perhaps the most anticipated video game release in recent memory and has therefore captured the attention of fans in some other wild and wonderful ways. Virtual sandwiches got people talking about it being locked at 30 frames per second, for example, while an ESRB rating revealed drugs, in-game purchases, and jetpack sex.
Those looking to get a taste of the game ahead of its release date can also read Starfield's canonical history or check out its skill tree that players have already put together. Even better, check out IGN's round-up of everything we know about Starfield so far.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.
