Starfield Devs Note Gamer Fatigue with Lengthy Titles

A former Starfield developer, Will Shen, reveals player fatigue with excessively long AAA games. This sentiment suggests a potential shift in player preference towards shorter gaming experiences, a possible consequence of the AAA market's saturation with lengthy titles.

Shen, a veteran with experience on titles like Fallout 4 and Fallout 76, observes a growing segment of players tiring of games requiring dozens of hours of commitment. He argues that adding another lengthy game to an already extensive library is a significant ask. He cites the success of games like Skyrim as a contributing factor to the prevalence of "evergreen" games, comparing this trend to the impact of Dark Souls on the popularity of challenging third-person combat. He emphasizes that most players don't complete games exceeding ten hours, highlighting the importance of game completion for story engagement and product satisfaction.

This trend towards player fatigue with lengthy AAA titles has, according to Shen, contributed to the resurgence of shorter games. He points to the success of Mouthwashing, emphasizing its short playtime as a key factor in its positive reception, contrasting it with a hypothetical longer version burdened by excessive 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, remain prevalent in the industry. This suggests that while player preferences are evolving, the demand for both shorter and longer gaming experiences will likely persist.