Starfield Developer Says Players Are Sick of Long Games

A former Starfield developer, Will Shen, suggests player fatigue is growing with respect to lengthy AAA titles. This saturation of the market with extensive games, he argues, is contributing to a rise in popularity of shorter gaming experiences.

Shen, a veteran of Bethesda with credits including Fallout 4 and Fallout 76, points to the success of games like Skyrim as a contributing factor to the prevalence of "evergreen" titles. He notes a parallel with Dark Souls' impact on the popularity of challenging third-person combat. His key observation is that most players don't complete games exceeding ten hours, impacting overall engagement with the narrative and the game itself. In an interview with Kiwi Talkz (via Gamespot), he highlighted that the industry is reaching a point where many players are tiring of these lengthy experiences.

The impact of this trend is evident in the resurgence of shorter games. Shen cites the success of Mouthwashing, emphasizing its short playtime as a crucial element of its positive reception. He posits that extending its length with additional side quests would have negatively affected its overall impact.

Despite the growing demand for shorter games, longer titles, like Starfield, remain prominent. The release of Starfield's Shattered Space DLC in 2024, and rumors of further expansions in 2025, demonstrate the continued commitment to this model by Bethesda. The industry, therefore, seems poised for a continued coexistence of both shorter and longer game experiences.