A former Starfield developer reveals player fatigue with excessively long AAA games. The sheer volume of lengthy titles in the AAA market may be fueling a growing demand for shorter gaming experiences. Despite this trend, however, longer games like Starfield remain a significant part of the industry landscape.
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 commitment required.
Starfield's 2023 release marked Bethesda's return to a new IP after 25 years, delivering another expansive open-world RPG. While the game's success demonstrates the appeal of extensive content, Shen points out a counter-trend: a preference for more concise gaming experiences. This aligns with recent criticism leveled at many AAA titles.
In a Kiwi Talkz interview (via Gamespot), Shen observed a growing segment of players tiring of games boasting dozens of hours of gameplay. He described adding another lengthy title to an already saturated market as a significant challenge. He referenced the influence of titles like Skyrim in establishing the "evergreen game" model, comparing it to Dark Souls' impact on third-person combat difficulty. He highlighted the fact that many players don't complete games exceeding ten hours, emphasizing the importance of completion for story engagement and overall product satisfaction.
The Rise of Shorter Games
Shen attributes the rise in popularity of shorter games, in part, to the oversaturation of the AAA market with lengthy releases. He cited the success of Mouthwashing, emphasizing its relatively short playtime as a key factor in its positive reception. He argued that extending Mouthwashing's runtime with additional side quests would have likely diminished its impact.
Despite the growing appeal of shorter games, longer titles show no signs of disappearing. Starfield's 2024 Shattered Space DLC expanded upon its already substantial content, and further expansions are rumored for 2025.
