Starbound is being discontinued because the developers have decided to move on to other projects and focus on new opportunities. The game has been out for several years and the team may feel that they have accomplished what they set out to do with it. Additionally, the gaming industry is constantly evolving, and developers often choose to shift their focus to new projects in order to stay competitive and explore new creative opportunities. **

The decision between buying Terraria or Starbound ultimately depends on your personal preferences. If you enjoy a more focused and combat-oriented gameplay with a strong emphasis on exploration and building, then Terraria might be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a more open-ended and story-driven experience with a greater emphasis on space exploration and crafting, then Starbound might be the better option. Both games offer unique and engaging gameplay experiences, so it's worth considering what aspects of gameplay appeal to you the most before making a decision. **

In Starbound, you can obtain pickaxes by crafting them using a crafting table. To craft a pickaxe, you will need to gather the necessary materials such as wood, cobblestone, and iron ore. Once you have the required materials, you can access the crafting table and select the pickaxe recipe to create one. Alternatively, you can also find pickaxes as loot in chests or purchase them from merchants in the game. **

Starbound does not have a specific age restriction, but it is generally recommended for players aged 10 and above due to its complex gameplay mechanics and potential for mild violence. Parents should consider the game's content, which includes fantasy violence, mild language, and suggestive themes, before allowing younger players to engage with it. Ultimately, the decision on whether a child is mature enough to play Starbound should be made by parents or guardians based on their individual preferences and values. **

There are a total of 7 planets in Starbound. Each planet has its own unique environment, resources, and creatures to discover. Players can explore and colonize these planets as they progress through the game, making each planet a new and exciting adventure to embark on. **

In Starbound, game progress is automatically saved as you play. The game has an autosave feature that periodically saves your progress, so you don't have to worry about manually saving. Additionally, when you quit the game, your progress is saved so you can pick up where you left off the next time you play. **

To play Starbound with your friends, you can either host a multiplayer game or join a game hosted by one of your friends. To host a game, you can start a new character and select the "Host & Play" option from the main menu. Then, you can invite your friends to join your game by sharing your IP address or using Steam's invite system. Alternatively, you can join a game hosted by one of your friends by selecting the "Join Game" option from the main menu and entering the host's IP address or joining through Steam. Once everyone is connected, you can explore the universe together and embark on adventures in Starbound. **

To create a new save file in Starbound, you can simply start a new game by selecting "New Game" from the main menu. This will prompt you to create a new character and choose a difficulty level. Once you have customized your character and selected your difficulty, your new save file will be created and you can begin your adventure in a fresh universe. **