Starfield Took Inspiration from Morrowind for Shattered Space DLC

Starfield Took Inspiration from Morrowind for Shattered Space DLC

Key Takeaways

  • Shattered Space DLC in Starfield drew inspiration from Morrowind for planet and city design.
  • Starfield: Shattered Space expands lore with new missions, locations, and gameplay features.
  • Team aimed to make Va’ruun’kai distinct and alien, embracing strangeness in the DLC.

As a seasoned gamer with over 25 years of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that the Shattered Space DLC for Starfield has truly captured my heart (and my spaceship). The inspiration drawn from Morrowind for planet and city design is not only nostalgic but also incredibly refreshing. It’s like stepping into a familiar yet alien world, much like my first trip to Skyrim after years in Tamriel.


Bethesda Studio’s lead designer, Emil Pagliarulo, shared that the recently launched expansion for Starfield, titled Shattered Space, took cues from The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind during its central planet and city of Dazra design phase. This new addition to Starfield became available on September 30, and Pagliarulo discussed the creative process behind its development.

Shattered Space, offers additional content such as new missions, locations, and gameplay elements. This extension expands the game’s universe, providing players with more opportunities to delve further into its captivating lore and narratives.

In an interview with GamesRadar+, Bethesda studio design director Emil Pagliarulo shared some intriguing behind-the-scenes details about the development of Starfield’s Shattered Space DLC. He revealed that the team drew significant inspiration from the aesthetics and atmosphere of Morrowind, particularly when designing the main planet, Va’ruun’kai, its capital city, Dazra, and the enigmatic House Va’ruun. This influence greatly impacted the unique feel of the world in Starfield, as the team aimed to create a place that stood out from other locations within the game. Essentially, they wanted to evoke a sense of peculiarity reminiscent of Morrowind’s world-building.

Starfield’s Shattered Space DLC was Inspired by Morrowind’s Themes and Overall Vibe

In simpler terms, during the creation of the Shattered Space DLC for Starfield, Pagliarulo shared that the team aimed to stretch the limits of the game’s “NASAPunk” style. The human faction Dazra, as described by Pagliarulo, lives on the edge of conventional civilization in the game’s world, testing the boundaries of what is considered normal and acceptable. Additionally, during the early development stages, discussions took place about how much to emphasize the “strangeness” of Va’ruun’kai. The team wanted this faction to be unique and alien-like for players, with the goal of making Va’ruun’kai aesthetically appealing in a way that is both unusual and captivating.

The Shattered Space DLC for Starfield continues the saga by giving players the opportunity to delve into House Va’ruun and the planet Va’ruun’kai. In this add-on, players will uncover the aftermath of a botched space-time experiment that distorts areas of space, introducing fresh challenges and hazards. As you traverse through the new alien adversaries and locations in the expansion, you’ll be immersed in a world influenced by Morrowind.

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2024-10-01 16:33