Experience the excitement of exploring strange new worlds with the new game Starfield, as it brought hundreds of unique destinations to the fingertips of gamers everywhere this season. For space history aficionados, especially those who celebrate the legacy of NASA’s Apollo program, there is a special treat in store. This week marks the 54th anniversary of the Apollo 12 mission, which saw three astronauts launched to the moon in 1969. In honor of this milestone, Starfield’s Constellation Edition from Bethesda Games Studios pays homage to the historic space program. Starfield’s Constellation Edition is a collector’s edition of the game, retailing for $299.99 for PC or XBox, packaged in a sleek case reminiscent of vintage NASA gear.
“We put so much detail into our game worlds and we love the opportunity to bring that into the real world with our collector’s editions,” said Todd Howard, Bethesda game director and executive producer. The game’s developers, including Howard, have referenced Starfield’s look and feel as “NASA-punk,” with this theme clearly evident in the Collector’s Edition. The White case is decorated with red and gold trim and inspired by NASA’s Apollo Lunar Sample Return Container (ALSPRC). The case also contains a digital copy of Starfield and the Constellation Explorer’s Watch, encapsulating the “NASA-punk” influence. Additionally, the case houses a mission patch for Constellation, inspired by patches used on space missions and a nod to NASA’s cancelled Constellation program.
To gain perspective on the authenticity of Starfield’s case, space historian Robert Pearlman, founder, and editor of collectSPACE.com, compared it to the real-life Apollo Lunar Sample Return Container. While the Starfield case shares some similarities with the ALSRC, including the locking mechanism, the form-fitted inserts for holding the watch and patch, and a smaller size, it is not considered a replica. In tribute to the ALSRC’s historical significance, however, the Starfield case is recognized as a respectful nod.
Apollo 12, a historic space mission, took place on November 14, 1969, with astronauts Pete Conrad, Alan Bean, and Richard Gordon retrieving lunar samples during their time on the Moon. Starfield’s in-game elements also include clear references to NASA, such as the planet Jemison, an homage to former NASA astronaut Mae Jemison.
If you’re intrigued by space games, there is a multitude of options available. To further explore the gaming cosmos, here are some top gaming recommendations:
– Best Space Horror Games
– Best Alien Invasion Games
– Best “Alien”, “Star Trek”, “Star Wars”, and “Warhammer 40K” Games of All Time
