Bethesda, known for its gaming ventures, has delved into the world of sci-fi with Starfield, marking a departure from its canceled ’90s sci-fi game, The 10th Planet. This unexpected nod to the long-lost project comes in the form of merchandise available for purchase on the Bethesda Gear Store, almost 30 years after The 10th Planet met its demise.

While Starfield signifies Bethesda’s initiation into the sci-fi genre, the studio’s fascination with this realm dates back to the ’90s when it collaborated with Centropolis Entertainment, a German-American production company renowned for sci-fi blockbusters like Stargate and Independence Day. The canceled game, The 10th Planet, was in development during this era.

The recently discovered merchandise, a sew patch within the Starfield Explorer Patch Set, pays homage to The 10th Planet. Priced at $18,
the set includes a simple illustration of ten planets encircled by the canceled game’s name. The title itself refers to the hypothetical tenth planet, or Planet X, sought by scientists due to peculiar orbital characteristics of Neptune and Uranus.

The patch set, featuring this circular nylon tribute, has been available on the Bethesda Gear Store since the pre-orders for Starfield opened in June 2023. However, the reference to The 10th Planet remained largely unnoticed by fans until now.

The 10th Planet was envisioned as a blend of Star Fox and Star Wars:
X-Wing, offering a space combat simulation with intense battles and a narrative campaign. Developed using the XnGine 3D game engine,
initially created for The Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall, the game was initially slated for a 1996 release, coinciding with Daggerfall. However, it faced multiple delays, ultimately leading to its cancellation in 1998.
Bethesda Executive Producer Todd Howard clarified years later that The 10th Planet never progressed beyond pre-production.

This unexpected appearance of The 10th Planet reference in Starfield merchandise adds a nostalgic touch, reminding fans of a sci-fi venture that never fully materialized but still holds a unique place in Bethesda’s history.