"Starfield Dev: Players Tired of Long Games"

• Players are increasingly fatigued by the length of AAA games, according to Will Shen, a former lead quest designer on Starfield at Bethesda.
• The oversaturation of lengthy, content-heavy AAA titles may be driving a growing demand for shorter, more focused gaming experiences.
• Despite this shift in player preference, long-form games like Starfield remain a dominant force in the industry, with major expansions like Shattered Space released in 2024 and potential new content expected in 2025.

Will Shen, who previously worked on Fallout 4, Fallout 76, and Starfield, recently shared insights on the evolving player sentiment toward game length. In an interview with Kiwi Talkz (via Gamespot), he noted that the gaming industry is "reaching a point" where a significant portion of players feel overwhelmed by the time commitment required by modern AAA titles. With so many expansive games already in players’ libraries, adding another 100+ hour experience can feel less like an exciting opportunity and more like a chore.

Shen pointed to the success of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Starfield as key examples of how the "evergreen game" model—packed with main quests, side content, and exploration—has become an industry standard. This trend, he argued, mirrors other influential shifts in game design, such as Dark Souls popularizing high-difficulty combat in third-person action games. However, he emphasized that most players don’t complete games that exceed 10 hours, and full completion is vital for deep narrative engagement and overall satisfaction with the product.

The rise of critically acclaimed, shorter titles like Mouthwashing highlights a potential counter-movement. Shen praised the indie horror game’s concise runtime, noting that its impact would likely have been diluted if padded with filler content or side quests. Its success, he believes, reflects a growing appetite for tightly crafted, story-driven experiences that respect players’ time.

While shorter games are gaining traction, especially in the indie space, AAA studios continue to invest in large-scale content expansions. Starfield’s 2024 DLC, Shattered Space, added substantial new content, and rumors suggest another major expansion could arrive in 2025—proof that the demand for expansive games still exists. Nevertheless, Shen’s observations signal a pivotal moment in game design, where balancing length, depth, and player accessibility may shape the future of both indie and AAA development.