Starfield Creators: Gamers Tired of Lengthy Games

A former Starfield developer reveals player fatigue with excessively long AAA games. The sheer volume of lengthy titles in the AAA market may be fueling a resurgence of shorter gaming experiences. Despite this trend, however, longer games like Starfield remain a significant part of the industry landscape.

Will Shen, a veteran Bethesda developer who contributed to Starfield, Fallout 4, and Fallout 76, voiced concerns about the length of modern games. He observed a growing player weariness stemming from the substantial time commitment required by many AAA titles. Shen's insight is particularly relevant given Bethesda's history of creating expansive open-world RPGs, exemplified by Starfield and Skyrim. While these games' vast content is undeniably appealing to many, a segment of the player base prefers a more focused experience. This sentiment has become a recurring criticism of AAA game design.

In an interview with Kiwi Talkz (via Gamespot), Shen indicated that a considerable portion of gamers are tiring of games boasting dozens of hours of gameplay. He described the prospect of adding yet another lengthy title to their already extensive backlog as a significant challenge. He acknowledged the influence of successful long-form games like Skyrim in establishing the "evergreen game" model, drawing a parallel to Dark Souls' impact on the popularity of challenging third-person combat. Shen highlighted the low completion rate of games exceeding ten hours, emphasizing that finishing a game is crucial for story engagement and overall product satisfaction.

The saturation of the AAA market with lengthy games, according to Shen, has contributed to the renewed interest in shorter games. He cited the success of Mouthwashing, emphasizing its concise playtime as a key factor in its popularity. He posited that extending its length with side quests and additional content would have negatively impacted its reception.

Despite the rising popularity of shorter experiences, the reign of lengthy AAA games appears far from over. Starfield's 2024 DLC, Shattered Space, expanded upon the already extensive base game, and further expansions are rumored for 2025.