As Bethesda struggles to navigate the post-launch criticism-filled asteroid belt with Starfield, comparisons with one of gaming’s most iconic and legendary titles, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, are inevitable.
Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, was at CCXP 2023 recently where he expressed a desire for Starfield to enjoy the same kind of longevity of Bethesda’s heavily-ported and critically acclaimed title. The goal is for Starfield to remain one of the gaming industry’s top player for years, similar to Skyrim’s enduring success, which has last well over a decade and translated across multiple generations of gaming platforms.
Skyrim, since its release, has served as a benchmark in open-world gaming, celebrated for its immersive environment as well as its extensive mod support. It offered a level of exploration and player autonomy that few games have matched. Starfield, with its space exploration theme, steps into a different realm but faces the challenge of capturing a similar essence of freedom and depth.
The initial response to Starfield and in the months after its not-so-critically-acclaimed release back in September hasn’t gone well, going from mixed to mostly negative, with its player count impressive at over 12 million but with criticisms aimed towards its gameplay and world design. While Starfield boasts an expansive universe, its segmented approach with multiple loading screens contrasts sharply with Skyrim’s continuous open world. This design choice impacts the immersive experience, which was a significant draw for Skyrim.
Furthermore, Skyrim’s modding community played a crucial role in its longevity, constantly refreshing the game with new content and improvements. While Starfield will eventually support mods, it’s uncertain if this will be enough for it to maintain player interest over an extended period. The question remains whether Starfield can provide an environment that players will want to revisit repeatedly, as they have with Skyrim.
Besides, if the mods become the reason why Starfield regains player trust going forward, then doesn’t that say a lot more about the ingenuity of modders than the effort that Bethesda put into what should’ve been its next big franchise?
Bethesda’s strength has always been in creating worlds that players can lose themselves in, with the characters and the story serving as vehicles to new explorations. Starfield, by focusing more on narrative and less on exploration, lost the critical element of Bethesda’s formula for long-term engagement.
The announcement of the Shattered Space expansion and the promise of new content alongside modding tools show Bethesda’s commitment to Starfield. However, the challenge lies in whether these additions can transform the game into an experience that rivals the depth and engagement of Skyrim.
Already, Starfield has a steep climb ahead of itself as its player numbers have plummeted in recent weeks while it has little accolades to show for itself.
Ultimately, Starfield’s success won’t solely depend on its initial launch but on its evolution over time. Its adaptability to player feedback, enhancements through updates and expansions, and the fostering of a vibrant modding community will be crucial. Bethesda’s ability to iterate and improve upon Starfield will determine if it can achieve the legendary status of Skyrim.
While Starfield has the potential to be a long-standing hit, it requires a strategic approach focusing on immersion and exploration, community engagement, and continuous content refreshment. The comparison with Skyrim sets a high bar, but with thoughtful development and support, Starfield could indeed enjoy a similar trajectory of success.
Speaking of Skyrim, the next game in The Elder Scrolls series won’t be released anytime soon but it’s next on the docket. Afterward, Bethesda will be working on Fallout 5, but it’s unclear if Todd Howard will still be around to see its launch.
