Could Limiting Starfield's Universe Have Made It a Masterpiece?

Of course, this approach comes with inherent risks. The vastness of space is best characterized by its idiosyncrasy. But, a decision to put scope over precision saw Starfield miss opportunities to include peculiar set pieces that could have added an extra layer of awe and wonder to the gameplay.

Furthermore, there's the concern of repetitiveness. Procedural generation, while efficient, can inadvertently introduce an unwelcome feeling of uniformity. It doesn't take long for players to start noticing recurring elements, diluting the freshness of exploration. As a result, Starfield's massive universe occasionally feels bland and repetitive.

Drawing a comparison, the hit indie game Outer Wilds captured the essence of space exploration with a fraction of the planets featured in Starfield. It masterfully wove in extreme environmental conditions, intriguing narratives, and tight gameplay mechanics, all within a much smaller sandbox. This begs the question: could Starfield have achieved a similar depth with a focused approach?

Historical evidence suggests that the answer is a definite "yes". Don't forget, one of the main factors behind the success of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind compared to The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall - Bethesda replaced the latter's massive but procedurally generation world with a relatively intimate setting filled with hand crafted areas. It's one of the things that made Bethesda's subsequent titles since then until Starfield was so good as well.

Ultimately, Bethesda's former design director's insights provide valuable introspection. The game's exploration aspect became controversial when it was revealed that only 10% of the planets would harbor life. Yet, Starfield's initial success is undeniable, with over a million concurrent players on release day and 10 million players in the subsequent three weeks.

To date, Starfield is the most successful Xbox exclusive in a while if not forever, nearly topping sales charts the month it launched and resulting in a surge of Xbox Series S/X sales.

While some believe that a more focused Starfield could result in a richer experience, others celebrate its sprawling universe. It's a testament to the challenges and triumphs of game development, where every choice is a double-edged sword. The conversations it has sparked, both internally at Bethesda and among fans, will likely influence the design philosophies of future titles, guiding developers as they continue to push boundaries and explore the vast potential of the gaming universe.

Here's to hoping that Bethesda has learned the right lessons as it works hard on The Elder Scrolls VI, which will fly under the radar until we're much closer to its release.