A former Starfield developer, Will Shen, has voiced concerns about the increasing fatigue among players regarding the length of modern AAA games. Shen, a veteran with experience on titles like Fallout 4 and Fallout 76, believes the market is reaching a saturation point where many players are overwhelmed by games boasting dozens of hours of content.
While the success of long-form RPGs like Skyrim and Starfield demonstrates a continued demand for extensive gameplay, Shen highlights a growing preference for shorter, more focused experiences. He points to the popularity of shorter games as a direct consequence of the AAA market's saturation with lengthy titles. He uses the indie horror game Mouthwashing as an example, suggesting its success was partly due to its concise playtime, arguing that a longer version with added side quests would have been less well-received.
Shen's argument centers on player completion rates. He observes that most players don't finish games exceeding ten hours, emphasizing the importance of game completion for meaningful engagement with the narrative and overall product. This suggests a shift in player preference towards experiences that can be fully enjoyed within a more manageable timeframe.
Despite this growing trend towards shorter games, the dominance of lengthy AAA titles like Starfield persists. Bethesda's continued support for Starfield with DLC like Shattered Space (2024) and a rumored 2025 expansion underscores the continued viability of longer games in the industry. The market, therefore, appears to be catering to both preferences – a trend likely to continue.
