Raph Koster Answers Questions, Talks Gameplay in Latest Stars Reach Video

The latest update for the successful and ongoing Stars Reach Kickstarter is a hefty Q&A featuring team lead Raph Koster. Given the massive popularity of the Kickstarter already, players likely have their eyes on these sorts of Q&As and further development updates for Stars Reach. This particular video—though cropped—runs over 42 minutes, with Koster answering a lot of questions. 

Space travel is a big up-front question, with Koster referencing shoot-em-up games as an inspiration for space travel gameplay mechanics. However, these are still experiential elements as the game is fine-tuned, so more precise actual gameplay elements are yet to be solidified, especially as space ships are still being worked on. 

Koster also points out that it’s possible to make mistakes on these worlds. The example given is that shooting a tree by accident can cause a chain of effects, setting the tree on fire, melting any ice nearby, and putting players at risk. There are many ways players can react, and that dynamic within the greater sandbox gameplay is something he’s proud of. 

This Q&A goes over a lot of both broader and finer strokes of gameplay, including the tutorial, action and combat, and death, that Stars Reach players and potential pledgers may be interested in. The Kickstarter is ongoing with $571,000 at the time of writing, and it has quite a few stretch goals unlocked—plus a few to be reached, including a new “Fae” race at $600,000.