Bethesda's Starfield Dev: Players Want Shorter Games

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

Shen's comments follow the 2023 launch 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 length contributed to its success, Shen points out a growing segment of gamers prefers shorter experiences.

In an interview with Kiwi Talkz (via Gamespot), Shen observed a trend: many players are tiring of games boasting dozens of hours of content. He argues that the market is saturated with such titles, making it difficult for another lengthy game to stand out. He cites the success of Skyrim as a contributing factor to the prevalence of "evergreen" games, comparing this trend to Dark Souls' impact on the popularity of challenging third-person combat. A key point is that most players don't complete games exceeding ten hours, impacting engagement with the narrative and overall product.

Shen connects this player fatigue to a resurgence in shorter games. He highlights the success of Mouthwashing, an indie horror title, attributing its popularity to its concise playtime. He believes a longer version, burdened with side quests and extra content, would have received a less enthusiastic reception.

Despite the growing appeal of shorter games, Shen acknowledges that longer titles, such as Starfield, remain a significant part of the industry landscape. The release of Starfield's Shattered Space DLC in 2024, and rumors of further expansions in 2025, solidify this point. The trend toward shorter games is emerging, but lengthy AAA experiences are not disappearing anytime soon.