Starfield's seamless planetary landings are finally nearly a reality thanks to one modder's tireless work.
A PC mod is being developed to remove Starfield loading screens during planet descents, using 3D clouds and autopilot for smoother landings.
Background: A Loading-Screen Complaint That Lasted More Than Three Years
For many Starfield players, landing on a planet has been tied to a loading screen instead of a continuous descent through the atmosphere. That break in travel was a big turn-off, especially when compared with No Man's Sky, where moving from space into a planet's atmosphere can feel seamless.
The issue did not disappear after Starfield's initial release. Over three years after the game first came out, the need to go through a loading screen when landing remained a notable gap for players who wanted a smoother transition from orbit to surface.
Development: Cruise Mode and Existing Mods Inspired a New Project
The change is now being led by Frederik Wessberg, who has been working on a mod that enables seamless planetary landings. The project was inspired by two popular Starfield mods, Seamless Grav Jumps and Seamless Planet Takeoff, which addressed other travel-related pain points.
Wessberg said that seeing those mods, and especially getting cruise mode officially in the game, made the remaining loading screens stand out more. With the new mod, players can enter a planet's atmosphere manually and fly in low orbit before deciding to land.
A key part of the teaser is the autopilot option. It lets players leave their cockpit seat, walk freely around the ship, or enjoy the view while the ship moves from orbit to the ground. The mod also appears to give players more control over where they can land, including the ability to land on water.
Latest Progress: A Teaser Video Shows Atmosphere Built From Game Data
The mod has not yet been released, but Wessberg was confident enough in its current state to show it in a new video titled Starfield - Seamless Landings without loading screens (teaser) on YouTube.
The added atmosphere is described as real 3D layers of volumetric clouds, driven by climate data and weather systems built from the game's data. That detail suggests the mod is not simply replacing loading screens with a basic visual effect, but is trying to make the descent feel more continuous by using existing game data.
Current Stage: PC Development With No Release Target Yet
The mod is only in development for PC at this time, and it does not yet have a release target. Readers should treat the teaser as a preview, not as a finished download. When it is ready, it will be available on Nexus Mods.
For now, the project represents the closest public look so far at a long-requested Starfield feature: landing on planets without loading screens.
FAQ
What does the Starfield seamless planetary landings mod do?
It aims to remove loading screens during planet landings, allowing players to continuously descend from orbit into a planet’s atmosphere and land on the surface. The teaser also shows an autopilot option, more control over landing locations, and the ability to land on water.
Is the mod available to download now?
No. The mod has not been released yet, and the teaser video should be treated as a preview rather than a finished download.
What platform is the mod currently being developed for?
The mod is only in development for PC at this time.
When will the mod be released?
There is no release target yet, so no release date has been announced.
Where will the mod be available when it is ready?
When it is ready, it will be available on Nexus Mods.
TagsPC GamingStarfield ModSeamless LandingsLoading ScreensGame Mods
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