Overview
- According to a former Starfield developer, there is growing player fatigue towards lengthy AAA games.
- The increasing popularity of shorter games may stem from the oversaturation of long-form gameplay in the AAA sector.
- Despite this trend, lengthy games like Starfield continue to thrive within the industry landscape.
Will Shen, a seasoned developer who contributed to Starfield, recently voiced his concerns regarding the trend of excessively long video games, noting that many players are feeling overwhelmed by the time commitments required. With broad experience in AAA titles such as Fallout 4 and Fallout 76, Shen’s insights reflect a significant shift in player behavior.
The launch of Starfield in 2023 marked Bethesda’s return to new intellectual properties after 25 years, presenting yet another expansive open-world RPG. This release aligned with the company’s strategic focus on games with extensive content, a formula that previously proved successful with titles like The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. While Starfield attracted a large player base eager for hours of exploration, many gamers are starting to crave more concise narratives and gameplay experiences, prompting renewed discussions about game length in the AAA sector.
In an interview with Kiwi Talkz (reported by Gamespot), Shen pointed out that the gaming industry is reaching a critical juncture where many players are growing weary of long titles filled with numerous hours of content. As he explains, players already have a surplus of lengthy games in their libraries, making it increasingly challenging to entice them with yet another lengthy entry. Reflecting on the past, Shen noted how the success of Skyrim has paved the way for the expectation of “evergreen games,” paralleling it with how Dark Souls popularized high-difficulty combat in third-person action games. He also highlighted that most players do not finish games exceeding ten hours in length, underscoring the importance of concluding gameplay for a deeper connection with the story and overall product.
Starfield Developer Discusses Industry Trends: The Shift Towards Shorter Games
Discussing the dominance of lengthy AAA titles, Shen highlighted the recent resurgence of shorter games as a response to industry saturation. He pointed to the success of the indie horror title, Mouthwashing, attributing part of its acclaim to its succinct gameplay. Shen remarked that its brief duration played a crucial role in its positive reception, suggesting that if it had been longer with added side quests, the overall response might have differed significantly.
While the demand for shorter gaming experiences rises, long-form games are likely to remain a staple in the industry for the foreseeable future. For instance, Starfield’s highly anticipated DLC, Shattered Space, was released in 2024, expanding on the already expansive content available to players. Looking ahead to 2025, further expansion for Starfield is expected, indicating that Bethesda is poised to continue leveraging the allure of extensive gameplay.
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