Starfield: Players Tired of Extensive Games

Gaming Trends: Are AAA Games Getting Too Long?

A former Starfield developer, Will Shen, suggests player fatigue is growing regarding the length of modern AAA titles. His experience across multiple AAA games, including Starfield, Fallout 4, and Fallout 76, lends weight to his observation that many players are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of content in these lengthy releases.

Starfield, Bethesda's ambitious 2023 release and its first new IP in 25 years, exemplifies this trend. While its expansive open world and numerous activities fueled a successful launch, Shen highlights a counterpoint: a segment of gamers prefers shorter, more focused experiences. This sentiment echoes rising criticism directed at the length of many AAA projects.

In an interview with Kiwi Talkz (via Gamespot), Shen observed a growing weariness among players toward games boasting dozens of hours of gameplay. He argues that the market is saturated with such titles, making it difficult for another long game to stand out. He cites the success of games like Skyrim as contributing to the prevalence of "evergreen" titles, a trend comparable to Dark Souls' impact on high-difficulty combat. He also pointed out that most players don't complete games exceeding ten hours, emphasizing the importance of completion for story engagement and overall product satisfaction.

This trend toward player fatigue, according to Shen, has contributed to a renewed interest in shorter games. He cites the success of Mouthwashing, a popular indie horror game, as a prime example. Its concise playtime was, he suggests, a major factor in its positive reception—a longer version with numerous side quests likely wouldn't have been as well-received.

Despite the growing popularity of shorter games, longer experiences like Starfield remain prevalent. The release of Starfield's Shattered Space DLC in 2024, and the rumored 2025 expansion, demonstrates Bethesda's continued commitment to this model. The future of game length, therefore, remains uncertain, with both shorter and longer experiences vying for player attention.