A former Starfield developer, Will Shen, reveals player fatigue with excessively long AAA games. This saturation of the market with lengthy titles, he suggests, is fueling a resurgence of shorter gaming experiences.
Shen, a veteran with experience on titles like Fallout 4 and Fallout 76, points to the industry's trend towards "evergreen games," citing Skyrim's success as a contributing factor. He argues that many players fail to complete games exceeding ten hours, impacting overall engagement with the narrative and product. This, he believes, is a significant factor in player burnout.
The interview with Kiwi Talkz (via Gamespot) highlights the growing preference for shorter games. Shen uses the indie horror game Mouthwashing as an example, emphasizing its success due to its concise playtime. He posits that extending its length with additional side quests would have negatively impacted its reception.
Despite this shift, Shen acknowledges the continued prevalence of longer games like Starfield. The release of Starfield's Shattered Space DLC in 2024, and rumors of a further expansion in 2025, demonstrate Bethesda's commitment to this model. The article concludes by summarizing the key points: player fatigue with lengthy AAA titles, the rise of shorter games as a counter-trend, and the continued existence of long-form AAA releases.
