Starfield Update Introduces Drunk Driving: Players Discover Hilarious New Feature with REV-8 Rover

Intrepid Starfield players have uncovered an unexpected feature in the game’s latest major update: the ability to experience drunk driving. The REV-8 all-terrain rover, introduced as part of the free August 2024 update, not only allows players to traverse the game’s vast landscapes more efficiently but also introduces the quirky phenomenon of intoxicated driving.

Nearly a year after Starfield’s original release, players are returning to the game, partly due to the anticipation surrounding the upcoming Shattered Space expansion and partly to test out the new driveable vehicle, the REV-8. This marks a significant milestone for developer Bethesda, as it’s the first time a car has been officially added to one of its open-world RPGs. The rover addresses a major complaint from players about the tediousness of exploring planets on foot. Now, with the REV-8, players can travel more easily across the Settled Systems.

However, players have also discovered that the game allows for drunk driving. As demonstrated by a user named Deebz__ on the Starfield Reddit community, attempting to drive the REV-8 while under the influence of alcohol can lead to erratic steering. In a shared clip, Deebz__ approaches their rover, consumes a box of Red Harvest Single Malt Whiskey—an in-game alcoholic item—and then tries to drive, only to have the vehicle veer off course, bumping into a rock.

Some Reddit commenters speculated that Deebz__ had either modified the rover or was steering poorly as a joke. However, Deebz__ clarified that the steering mishaps occurred automatically while attempting to drive straight after drinking alcohol. In tests conducted with an unmodified PC version of Starfield, the REV-8 indeed veered from side to side for a few seconds when driven under the influence, though the effect quickly wore off. Even a single alcoholic drink in the game is enough to induce this behavior.

Another player confirmed the effect, sharing that they accidentally discovered it while drinking Alien Liquor, a popular hydration item in Starfield’s survival mode. Alien Liquor is favored because it’s one of the easiest aid items to craft using the game’s cooking station.

The discovery of drunk driving in Starfield has amused many players, with some praising Bethesda for its attention to detail. Some even called for the addition of "drunk jumping," a feature that would add an extra layer of risk when performing a grav jump while intoxicated.