When I arrived for my appointment regarding *STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions* at [PAX West 2025](https://www.cgmagonline.com/tag/pax-west-2025/), I had slight concerns about my lack of familiarity with the [original *Astroneer* title](https://www.cgmagonline.com/newswire/explore-alien-worlds-in-astroneer-out-now-on-nintendo-switch/). What became clear is that this isn’t a continuation of the original, but rather another game set within the same universe. Once I was welcomed into the world by Co-Founder of System Era Softworks and the game’s Creative Director, [Adam Bromell,](https://www.linkedin.com/in/adambromell/) I quickly felt at ease and prepared to engage, which is fundamentally what the game embodies.

*STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions* operates in a shared universe that is perpetually online. You inhabit the ESS Starseeker alongside up to 99 other players, collaboratively advancing your universe. This means that the missions undertaken by you and your group will have a direct impact on the environment you inhabit. Equipped with a variety of tools—usable as weapons if necessary—you set out in a team of four (always multiplayer) to carry out missions and push your world forward.

In my scenario, my team was tasked with locating a particular item, which I believe was a type of radar, and transporting it to the highest point on the map… for scientific purposes. Although it was only a brief 20-minute demo, it allowed me to familiarize myself with *STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions*, its landscape, and its tools.

### “An aspect that truly struck a chord with me in STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions is the adaptability of the gameplay.”

During this mission, I had the opportunity to utilize my tool, which features various nozzles that perform different functions. These can be 3D printed, which is the term used instead of crafting. Quite on-trend if you ask me. This tool enables you to scan your surroundings for more information, as well as absorb soil to terraform effectively. To reach the mountain’s summit, rather than scaling it, I could absorb the terrain and carve a pathway through the mountain to the peak.

At one point, I accidentally dug myself off the cliff’s edge, and on another occasion, we unearthed water, illustrating the considerations needed when using it. The nozzle I utilized allowed me to dispense materials back into the environment. I could have employed this to create a ramp to the mountain’s top or to construct barricades while fending off aggressive carrots…yes, you read that right.

An aspect that truly struck a chord with me in *STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions* is the adaptability of the gameplay. Personally, I was keen to investigate and examine the world surrounding me. For the purpose of the mission, I concentrated, but any resources I could have gathered or researched would still be available when I returned to base. Bromell even indicated that over time, the game could detect your preferred play style, be it researching, gathering, terraforming, etc., and present missions that align with your gaming preferences.

### “Regardless of the circumstances, I am certain that I will be diving into STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions with my children alongside me in 2026.”

One intriguing aspect of *STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions* is the introduction of something temporarily referred to as a “sticker book.” This concept resembles achievement tracking in that it monitors your actions within the game, ultimately rewarding you with “stickers” for your progress. This serves as one means by which the game acknowledges your play style and emphasizes your individual choices.

Bromell elaborated on how community and collaborative experiences are essential components of *STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions.* He highlighted the sticker book as a prime illustration of the environment they aspire to create. Currently, farming isn’t part of gameplay, but he used it as a fitting example. He proposed that the game could host events like a “Farmer’s Appreciation Day,” where players who complete their farming sticker categories could visit the ship’s bridge and receive some exciting in-game rewards.

Much of what Bromell shared regarding *STARSEEKER: Astroneer Expeditions* focused heavily on community. It almost seemed as though this aspect was more crucial to convey than the actual gameplay itself. The closest comparison I can draw would be to *EVE Online,* where the community truly *is* the game. However, *Expeditions* appears to emphasize working as a