Starfield Developer Says Players Are Sick of Long Games

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 experiences, making it difficult for new, similarly long games to gain traction. He points to the success of games like Skyrim as contributing to the prevalence of "evergreen" titles, but notes that many players fail to complete games exceeding 10 hours, impacting overall story engagement.

This trend, according to Shen, is fueling a resurgence of shorter games. He cites the indie horror title Mouthwashing as an example, highlighting its success due in part to its concise playtime. A longer version, burdened with side quests and extra content, would likely have received a different reception, he argues.

Despite the growing popularity of shorter games, longer titles like Starfield, with its 2024 DLC Shattered Space and a rumored 2025 expansion, remain a significant part of the AAA landscape. The industry, therefore, seems poised for a continued coexistence of both shorter, more focused experiences and longer, sprawling adventures.