Starfield Developer Says Players Are Sick of Long Games

Former Bethesda developer Will Shen, a veteran who worked on titles like Starfield, Fallout 4, and Fallout 76, has voiced concerns about the increasing length of AAA games. He suggests player fatigue is setting in due to the sheer time commitment required by many modern titles.

Shen's comments follow the 2023 release of Starfield, Bethesda's first new IP in 25 years, a sprawling open-world RPG echoing the extensive playtime of previous successes like Skyrim. While Starfield's launch was successful, demonstrating the enduring appeal of expansive gameplay, Shen highlights a growing segment of gamers who prefer shorter, more focused experiences.

In an interview with Kiwi Talkz (via Gamespot), Shen stated the industry is reaching a saturation point where many players are tiring of games demanding dozens of hours of investment. He argues that the success of games like Skyrim has inadvertently normalized excessively long gameplay, creating an expectation that not all players can or want to meet. He points out that most players don't complete games exceeding 10 hours, emphasizing the importance of game completion for strong narrative engagement.

Shen connects this trend to the recent resurgence of shorter games, citing the success of Mouthwashing as a prime example. The indie horror title's concise playtime was a key factor in its positive reception, according to Shen, suggesting that a longer, more bloated version with numerous side quests would have been less impactful.

Despite the growing popularity of shorter games, Shen acknowledges that lengthy AAA titles like Starfield, with its 2024 DLC Shattered Space and a rumored 2025 expansion, are likely to remain a significant part of the gaming landscape. The industry appears to be navigating a shift in player preferences, with a growing demand for more concise gaming experiences alongside the continued prevalence of expansive, long-form titles.