A mod currently in development for Starfield aims to remove the loading screens and animations that currently accompany planetary landings. This new mod, spearheaded by developer Frederik Wessberg, promises to bring players one step closer to the seamless exploration experience found in games like No Man's Sky.
Existing mods have addressed seamless grav jumps and planet takeoffs, but the transition from orbit to a planet's surface still involves selecting a landing spot, triggering a loading screen, and watching an animation. This process has led some to describe the player's spaceship in Starfield as more of a teleporting house than a vessel capable of true interstellar travel.
Planets in Starfield, when viewed from space, largely function as textures that can be flown through. However, reaching the surface typically requires these loading sequences. Wessberg's work-in-progress mod demonstrates a planetary approach with realistic atmospheric entry effects, including ship heating and a visual cue as the ship passes through clouds, before landing directly.
Wessberg clarified that the cloud cover is not a deliberate loading screen. Instead, it serves to minimize visual seams during the final cell switch, particularly regarding lighting, exposure, and terrain color. For airless moons and planets, the transition occurs without a veil, as lighting and exposure changes are less drastic. Background loading is handled discreetly while the game remains interactive, with the switch occurring once assets are fully loaded.
To achieve this, the mod replaces Starfield's floating planet textures with actual 3D models. Wessberg has reimplemented Starfield's planet rendering system to provide detailed and sharp visuals at all altitudes. The system leverages Starfield's biome data, surface maps, and climate information, factoring in celestial mechanics like orbital phases, proximity to the sun, and moonlight contributions.
The philosophy behind the mod is to use Starfield's data as the definitive truth, modulated by real-world physics. The final version, planned for release on Nexus Mods, will allow players to manually pilot their ships in low orbit or use an autopilot to descend and land anywhere on a planet, including bodies of water. Further details are available on Wessberg's Patreon page.