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Leaked images reportedly reveal first look at Bethesda’s Starfield

Images from Starfield, Bethesda’s first new IP in more than two decades, have reportedly leaked, for the first look into the upcoming RPG.

Not much is known about Starfield, which was revealed by Bethesda at E3 2018, aside from the fact that the RPG will take place in space. The leaked images, which appeared on Imgur, have been shared on various social media platforms.

So allegedly, these are leaked images from Bethesda's upcoming Starfield.

The logo on the astronaut's space suit matches the logo shown in the teaser trailer.

Take this with a grain of salt though! #Starfield #Rumor pic.twitter.com/sDOHHayLwY

— KAMI (@Okami13_) September 26, 2020

The image of the spacecraft is very detailed, which may mean that it is the player’s ship, while the image of the gauge apparently shows oxygen and gravity, among other things.

The third image, meanwhile, may be the first look at Starfield gameplay. The gauge from one of the images is seen in the lower left, with the onscreen character wearing a spacesuit and what appears to be a jetpack. Health and stamina bars are seen at the lower right, on top of what looks like weapon and ammo trackers.

It remains to be seen if the leaked images are real, but according to gaming news channel Skullzi, they were from an early build of Starfield.

BREAKING NEWS:
I can now say confidently that an anonymous source contacted me and verified that the recent leak is indeed real, and the images came from an early build of Starfield from 2018!

— SKULLZI 💀🎮 (@SkullziTV) September 26, 2020

Digital Trends has reached out to Bethesda to try to confirm the authenticity of the images, and we will update this article as soon as we hear back.

Starfield as Xbox Series X exclusive?

Microsoft recently acquired Bethesda’s parent company ZeniMax Media for $7.5 billion, for the priciest acquisition in U.S. video game history.

The deal will likely make current Bethesda projects such as The Elder Scrolls VI and Starfield timed exclusives for the Xbox Series X, if not full-on exclusives, giving Microsoft’s console a major weapon against rival PlayStation 5. The studio, however, has not formally announced the platforms where Starfield will be released.

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Blockbuster Starfield trailer shows off ship combat, 1,000 explorable planets
A character stands below a ship in Starfield.

During the Xbox and Bethesda showcase, Bethesda dropped a new gameplay trailer for Starfield.

Introduced by Todd Howard, Starfield's player character lands on the mysterious moon named Kreet during the year 2330. The gameplay looks to be a mix of both third-person and first-perspective. The former is used when exploring or jetpacking across large vistas similar to that of No Man's Sky while the latter is used during the shooting sections, or speaking with NPCs.

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Everything announced at Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase 2022
A screen capture from the Redfall gameplay reveal.

Following a shockingly good State of Play and an underwhelming Summer Game Fest Kickoff, it was Microsoft's turn to enter the spotlight and highlight the games coming to Xbox platforms and services. Namely, we saw Starfield in action even though it was delayed until 2023, and we got a better idea of what games are coming to Xbox Game Pass over the next 12 months. 
This was a significant showcase for Microsoft, which needed to confirm what it had in store for this year and what new games are on the horizon. While there were plenty of exciting new gameplay trailers and game announcements, nothing quite blew us away. Still, the presentation painted an extremely clear picture of what Xbox players can expect between now and June 2023. This is everything that was announced at the Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase 2022. 
Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase 2022
Redfall gameplay shows what Arkane's vampire shooter is all about
Redfall - Official Gameplay Reveal - Coming to Game Pass - Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase 2022
The show opened with our first look at gameplay for Redfall, an upcoming cooperative shooter about vampires from Arkane Austin. It initially leans quite hard into the horror aspects of the game before transitioning into showing bombastic shooting action, each character's abilities, and more. Redfall will be released in 2023.
Forza Motorsport will actually release in spring 2023
Forza Motorsport - Official Trailer - Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase 2022
We finally got another look at Turn 10's Forza Motorsport for Xbox Series X, with a focus on its gameplay, lighting, and dynamic time of day system, and more. While many assumed that the beautiful racing game would launch later this year, it's actually not coming out until spring 2023. 
Grand strategy game Ara: History Untold announced by Xbox Game Studios
Ara: History Untold - Announce Trailer - Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase 2022
Oxide Games and Xbox Game Studios Publishing revealed a brand-new historical turn-based grand strategy game called Ara: History Untold. It was one of the few trailers without any gameplay, but it teases a game that will encompass centuries of history and lots of cultures. It doesn't have a release date, but we know it's coming to PC and Game Pass, and players can sign up for the history program.
Minecraft enters the strategy genre with Minecraft Legends
Minecraft Legends – Announce Trailer - Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase 2022
Minecraft showed up during the Xbox show, but it wasn't with a simple update. Instead, a bran- new action strategy game called Minecraft Legends was announced. We even saw a bit of gameplay after the cinematic trailer, and it definitely looks very unique when compared to anything done with Minecraft before. Minecraft Legends will be released for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One in 2023.
As Dusk Falls and Pentiment flesh out Microsoft's 2022 lineup
Pentiment – Official Announce Trailer - Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase 2022
We got another look at As Dusk Falls, a narrative-focused game with a motion comic-like art style. The new trailer gave us a better look at the story and confirmed a July 19 release date. We also learned that a new narrative RPG from Obsidian Entertainment called Pentiment launches later this year. These games help flesh out Microsoft's paltry 2022 lineup in the wake of Starfield's delay. 
Hideo Kojima reveals Xbox Game Studios partnership
Kojima Productions Xbox Teaser [HD 1080P]
During a segment focused on Japanese games, Hideo Kojima stopped by the showcase to confirm Kojima Productions' rumored partnership with Xbox Game Studios. He didn't actually show his game, which is rumored to be called Overdose, but this is a disruptive announcement for players who associate Kojima with PlayStation because of Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding.
Starfield gameplay reveal shows what Bethesda's next RPG is really like
Starfield: Official Gameplay Reveal
As expected, we got an extended look at Starfield's gameplay in action during the showcase. We see a player explore the moon of Kreet in the year 2330 in first-person. They scan and encounter the local fauna, wildlife, and minerals before fighting some pirates, with shooting gameplay much more intense than anything Bethesda Game Studios has done before. They then go to the city of New Atlantis and see some of the game's conversations in action. Todd Howard then showed us an early look at the game's immensely detailed character customization, skill system, ship and crew customization, flying, and vast galaxy. Starfield will be released in 2023.
Everything else: 

Hollow Knight: Silksong got a new trailer and is coming to Xbox Game Pass on day one. 
Squanch Games' Justin Roiland revealed his new game, High On Life, which releases in October 2022 and will be on Xbox Game Pass on day one. 
Riot Games is bringing League of Legends, Wild Rift, Valorant, Legends of Runetrra, and Teamfight Tactics bonuses to Xbox Game Pass members on PC. 
A Plague Tale: Requiem got a gameplay trailer and will launch on day one with Xbox Game Pass.
Microsoft Flight Simulator is getting helicopters and other new aircraft in November 2022 to celebrate its 40th anniversary. Halo Infinite's Pelican was added to the game today. 
Overwatch 2's multiplayer early access launches on October 4, 2022, and will be free-to-play. A new hero was also teased. 
The Elder Scrolls Online: High Isle got a new trailer. 
Fallout 76: The Pitt got a new trailer and September 2022 release window. 
Forza Horizon 5 will get Hot Wheels-themed DLC on July 19.
Ark 2 got a new trailer starring Vin Diesel and a 2023 release window. 
Scorn got a new trailer confirming an October 21 release date. It will be on Xbox Game Pass on day one.
Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn got a gameplay trailer and early 2023 release window. It will launch day one on Xbox Game Pass. 
Lightyear: Frontier got a new trailer and spring 2023 release window. It launches day one with Xbox Game Pass.
Cat-themed roguelike action game Gunfire Reborn got an October 2022 release window. It launches day one with Xbox Game Pass.
The Last Case of Benedict Fox was revealed as a day one Xbox Game Pass title that will release in spring 2023.
Naraka Bladepoint comes to Xbox consoles and Game Pass on June 23.
Grounded gets its 1.0 launch in September 2022. 
Ereban: Shadow Legacy was announced and will come to Xbox Game Pass in 2023. 
Diablo IV got a new trailer revealing the Necromancer class. Also, PC and Xbox crossplay was confirmed, PvP and endgame content was teased, and a 2023 release was confirmed. 
Sea of Thieves is getting a new update that lets players customize their cabin, name their ships, and more on July 21.
The developers of Echo Generation revealed a new fantasy game called Ravenlok, which launches on Xbox Game Pass in 2023. 
One of the creators of Limbo announced Cocoon, which comes to Xbox Game Pass in 2023.
Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo teased a new IP, Wo Long: Fallen Destiny, which will release in early 2023 on Xbox Game Pass.
Persona 3, 4, and 5 are coming to Game Pass. Persona 5 will be added on October 21, while Persona 3 Portable and Persona 4 Golden are coming after that.

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2022’s Xbox and Bethesda Showcase is vital for Microsoft
Senua stares ahead wearing war paint.

On June 12, Microsoft will hold its second annual Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase. Following a series of delays and reports about development issues at Xbox studios, it is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal shows for Xbox ever.
Xbox had a strong showing in 2021 with critically acclaimed games like Forza Horizon 5, Age of Empires IV, and Halo Infinite, but has lost that positive momentum in the first half of this year. As debates rage over just how compelling Xbox’s 2022 lineup is now that Bethesda’s heavy hitters Starfield and Redfall have been delayed until 2023, Microsoft needs to prove why gamers should care about its platforms and services this year, and the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase is the right place to do that.
First-party woes
The back half of 2022 is looking pretty dire for Microsoft in terms of first-party games it's directly developing or publishing. Originally, it seemed like Microsoft was relying on Bethesda to provide it with two blockbuster titles, but that strategy went out the window when those games were delayed. While Microsoft has announced plenty of games since the Xbox Series X's reveal in 2020, none of them are publicly dated to release this year. It's relying on third-party exclusives like Warhammer 40K: Darktide and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, the latter of which could have its release date impacted further by Russia's war on Ukraine.

This isn't a good situation for Xbox, so the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase is the best place for the companies to reassure fans that first-party games are actually coming. So, what could possibly be in store? We know for sure that Redfall, Starfield, and Contraband won't release this year. State of Decay 3 and Perfect Dark also seems unlikely due to the reported development trouble both titles are facing. That said, other Microsoft titles could sneak in a 2022 release. To start, Grounded will likely leave early access this year. 
When you consider that Forza Horizon 5 wasn’t revealed until E3 2021 and managed to be one of the best games of the year, it seems likely, if unconfirmed, that Microsoft will put out the next mainline Forza Motorsport this year. The next entry in the series has been in development at Turn 10 for some time and is rumored to be beta testing.
As for its other first-party studios, it's possible that Senua's Sacrifice: Hellblade 2 or Avowed will actually manage to come out this year and fill the void left by Redfall and Starfield. Age of Empires IV and Deathloop could also strengthen the lineup if ported to Xbox consoles this year.
It's also possible that there are announced first-party games slated for this year, like the rumored non-combat RPG from Obsidian's Josh Sawyer, the leaked remaster of Goldeneye 007, or one of the many Xbox Game Studios Projects that were exposed via the Nvidia GeForce Now Leak last year. Xbox Game Studios Publishing could also help bolster the 2022 lineup if As Dusk Falls launches this year and they release some other unannounced games from second-party partners. If any of those guesses are true, this Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase is the place to confirm it. Microsoft can't afford to wait any longer to show us what's in store from them this year if it has anything at all.
Forza Motorsport - Official Announce Trailer
Other parties
If Microsoft is truly unable to provide that many compelling first-party exclusives this year -- which is a very real possibility -- then it will need to add some extremely noteworthy heavy-hitters to Xbox Game Pass on day one in the back half of 2022. In the 2021 conference, all but two games featured were to be included in Xbox Game Pass. Microsoft needs to repeat that this year, and it would certainly help if many of those games are launching in 2022. Managing to net some of this fall’s big titles like Saints Row, Sonic Frontiers, Gotham Knights, or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 to be on the service day one would make the lack of exclusives and first-party games would sting less for Xbox fans.
The worst-case scenario for Microsoft here is having no compelling AAA games launch day one on Xbox Game Pass this fall, first-party or not. It might be able to fall back on Xbox Game Studios Publishing, which has partnered with developers outside of Xbox Game Studios to create Xbox-exclusive titles. If Microsoft is not able to provide anything compelling for this year across the board, 2022 could be one of the most disappointing first-party years for Microsoft since 2017.
Gotham Knights would be a very compelling Xbox Game Pass title in 2022.
Whether it’s with secret first- and second-party exclusives or some compelling Xbox Game Pass deals, this is a very important showcase for Xbox. It has spent years acquiring studios to bolster its exclusive lineup but still doesn’t have much in the way of palpable results to show for it. In a tweet after Redfall and Starfield's delay, Head of Xbox Phil Spencer tweeted "These decisions are hard on teams making the games & our fans. While I fully support giving teams time to release these great games when they are ready, we hear the feedback. Delivering quality & consistency is expected, we will continue to work to better meet those expectations." 
While Microsoft having that mindset in the future is appreciated, it could come at a real cost of there not being that many compelling games on the system this year. And if it’s bad, the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase will leave us questioning if we can ever expect consistent results from Xbox. As such, Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda both need to come out strong during this showcase with lots of games. Not just ones for years to come, but for 2022 as well. 

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