Starfield Developer Says Players Are Sick of Long Games

A former Starfield developer, Will Shen, has voiced concerns about the growing player fatigue associated 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 where players are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of lengthy content.

While the success of games like Skyrim established the "evergreen game" model, characterized by extensive playtime, Shen argues that this trend is contributing to player burnout. He points out that many players fail to complete games exceeding ten hours, hindering engagement with the narrative and overall product. This, he suggests, is fueling a resurgence of shorter gaming experiences.

The popularity of shorter games, exemplified by the success of Mouthwashing, is highlighted by Shen. He attributes Mouthwashing's success to its concise playtime, suggesting that a longer version with added side quests would have been less well-received.

Despite the growing demand for shorter games, the dominance of lengthy AAA titles like Starfield persists. Bethesda's continued support for Starfield with DLC like Shattered Space (2024) and a rumored 2025 expansion demonstrates the ongoing viability of this model. The industry, therefore, seems poised for a continued coexistence of both lengthy and shorter gaming experiences.