Starfield Dev: Players Tired of Lengthy Games

A former Starfield developer, Will Shen, reveals player fatigue with excessively long AAA games. Shen, a veteran who worked on titles like Fallout 4 and Fallout 76, suggests that the market is reaching a saturation point with lengthy experiences. While games like Starfield, with their extensive content, remain popular, a significant portion of players are tiring of the substantial time commitment.

Shen's comments, shared in an interview with Kiwi Talkz (via Gamespot), highlight a growing trend. He points to the success of games like Skyrim as contributing to the prevalence of "evergreen" titles, but notes that many players don't complete games exceeding ten hours. He emphasizes the importance of completion for story engagement and overall product satisfaction.

This trend, according to Shen, has fueled a resurgence of shorter games. He cites the indie horror title Mouthwashing as a prime example, suggesting its brevity was key to its success. A longer version, burdened with side quests and extra content, might not have received the same positive reception.

Despite the growing popularity of shorter games, the dominance of lengthy AAA titles, like Starfield, persists. The release of Starfield's Shattered Space DLC in 2024, and rumors of another expansion in 2025, confirm Bethesda's continued commitment to this model. However, Shen's insights suggest a potential shift in player preference and a growing demand for more concise gaming experiences.