A former Starfield developer, Will Shen, has voiced concerns about the increasing fatigue among players regarding excessively long AAA games. This sentiment, shared in an interview with Kiwi Talkz (via Gamespot), suggests a potential shift in player preference towards shorter gaming experiences.
Shen, a veteran with credits on titles like Fallout 4 and Fallout 76, points to the saturation of the AAA market with lengthy games as a contributing factor to this trend. He highlights the success of games like Skyrim as a catalyst for the prevalence of "evergreen" titles, but notes that many players fail to complete games exceeding ten hours, impacting overall story engagement. He argues that adding another lengthy game to an already crowded market is a significant challenge.
The rise in popularity of shorter games, Shen suggests, is a direct consequence of this AAA market saturation. He cites the success of Mouthwashing, an indie horror game, as an example; its concise playtime being a key factor in its positive reception. He contrasts this with the potential negative impact of extending its playtime with additional side quests and content.
Despite this emerging trend, longer games, like Starfield, remain prevalent. Bethesda's continued support for Starfield with DLC like Shattered Space (2024) and a rumored 2025 expansion demonstrates the ongoing appeal of expansive RPGs. The industry, therefore, appears poised for a period of coexistence between lengthy and shorter gaming experiences.
