Starfield Devs Hear Fan Fatigue on Lengthy Games

A former Starfield developer reveals player fatigue with excessively long AAA games. This saturation of the market with lengthy titles may be fueling a resurgence of shorter game experiences. Despite this trend, however, long games like Starfield remain prominent.

Will Shen, a veteran Bethesda developer who worked on Starfield, Fallout 4, and Fallout 76, voiced concerns about the length of modern games. He suggests player burnout stems from the significant time investment required.

Starfield's 2023 release marked Bethesda's first new IP in 25 years, continuing their trend of expansive, open-world RPGs demanding substantial player commitment. While Starfield's success demonstrates the appeal of extensive content, Shen highlights a growing preference for shorter, more focused experiences.

In an interview with Kiwi Talkz (via Gamespot), Shen observed a significant portion of players are tiring of games boasting dozens of hours of gameplay. He describes the addition of another lengthy title to an already crowded market as a difficult challenge. He cites the impact of titles like Skyrim in establishing the "evergreen game" norm, comparing this to Dark Souls' influence on the popularity of challenging third-person combat. Shen emphasizes that many players don't complete games exceeding ten hours, highlighting the importance of completion for optimal story engagement and product satisfaction.

The Rise of Shorter Games: A Response to AAA Saturation

Shen attributes the growing popularity of shorter games, in part, to the saturation of the AAA market with lengthy titles. He cites the success of Mouthwashing, emphasizing its concise playtime as a key factor in its positive reception. He argues that extending Mouthwashing's playtime with additional side quests and content would have negatively impacted its overall success.

Despite the increasing appeal of shorter games, longer experiences like Starfield, with its 2024 Shattered Space DLC and a rumored 2025 expansion, show no signs of disappearing.