‘Starfield’ release date, gameplay: Bethesda says robot companion Vasco is peaceful but can defend itself when necessary

Bethesda released more information on one of the robot companions named Vasco to be featured in “Starfield.” And while he has some defensive capabilities, the developer stressed that Vasco is primarily a peaceful robot.

Bethesda introduces ‘Starfield’ robot companion named Vasco

A new video focused on unveiling more details about Vasco was released via IGN on Tuesday. “Starfield” lead artist Istvan Pely said Vasco’s design was based on an early model from Lunar Robotics, while Bethesda released some concept images showing how the robot companion is built.

Pely said Vasco was “refurbished,” so it can work well with the player’s missions in “Starfield” as a member of the Constellation. Bethesda previously revealed that the player’s character is a member of the Constellation group, described as one of the last groups of space explorers.

In an earlier preview, fans saw a friendly Vasco with the line, “Hello, Captain. How may I be of assistance?” The new video reiterates that the robot companion will mainly serve as an assistant to the players as it is equipped with tools to maintain a spaceship. “Vasco’s design is based on a standard Type-A bipedal chassis capable of traversing rough terrain with all the survival gear and payload capacity needed for extended overland journeys,” Pely said in the video released this week.

Bethesda has established that certain locations in “Starfield” can be hostile. But Vasco might not be the best companion in combat. “Vasco does have defensive capabilities should the need arise, but his primary role is peaceful,” Pely added.

The developers have previously noted that companions in “Starfield” would even make comments about what is happening around them, making the game feel more immersive. “It’s just so believable, you think it’s a real person,” Pely said in a development diary video last month.

‘Starfield’ release date

Bethesda is expected to release more teasers in the coming months, possibly sometime in summer. Xbox is rumored to host its own “E3-style” showcase sometime in June, where fans might see more gameplay trailers for “Starfield” before it is officially released on Nov. 11.