Gamers Crave Conciseness in Starfield, Says Dev

A former Starfield developer, Will Shen, reveals player fatigue with excessively long AAA games. Shen, a veteran with experience on titles like Fallout 4 and Fallout 76, suggests that the market is reaching a saturation point with lengthy games, making it increasingly difficult to attract players to yet another massive title. He cites the success of games like Skyrim as contributing to the prevalence of "evergreen" games, a trend comparable to Dark Souls' impact on difficult combat in third-person games. Shen highlights that many players fail to complete games exceeding 10 hours, emphasizing the importance of completion for story engagement and product satisfaction.

The oversaturation of the AAA market with lengthy experiences, according to Shen, is fueling a resurgence of shorter games. He points to the success of Mouthwashing, a short indie horror game, as a prime example. The game's concise playtime was a key factor in its positive reception, contrasting with the potential negative impact of adding extensive side quests and filler content.

Despite the growing popularity of shorter games, longer titles like Starfield, with its 2024 DLC Shattered Space and a rumored 2025 expansion, demonstrate that longer games remain a significant part of the industry landscape. The continued success of these longer games suggests a continued demand for expansive, open-world experiences, even as player preferences evolve.