Starfield Developer Says Players Are Sick of Long Games

Former Bethesda developer Will Shen, a veteran of 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 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 success demonstrates the enduring appeal of expansive game worlds, Shen argues a significant portion of gamers are tiring of these marathon experiences.

In an interview, Shen highlighted a growing trend: player burnout from games boasting dozens of hours of content. He described the challenge of adding another lengthy title to an already saturated market as a "tall order," noting that many players fail to complete games exceeding ten hours. He emphasized the importance of game completion for meaningful engagement with the narrative and overall product.

Shen connects this player fatigue to the recent resurgence of shorter games, citing the success of Mouthwashing as a prime example. He attributes the indie horror title's popularity to its concise playtime, suggesting a longer version laden with side quests would have been less well-received.

Despite the growing appeal of shorter experiences, Shen acknowledges that lengthy AAA games, like Starfield and its planned DLC expansions (including the 2024's Shattered Space and a rumored 2025 release), remain a dominant force in the industry. The future, however, may see a shift towards a more balanced approach to game length, catering to a wider range of player preferences.