A game’s popularity and player engagement, unlike how good it is, is objectively measurable, especially on the PC. In particular, Steam is quite open with its numbers.
Websites like SteamDB pull figures straight from Steam’s database to give audiences an idea about which games are the most popular and which ones aren’t. In this case, the latest figures don’t tell a pretty tale for Starfield, which recently won the Xbox Game of the Year award at The Golden Joystick Awards 2023.
Launched with a surge of hype and expectation, Starfield, despite its initial success, has seen a surprising decline in the player numbers two months post-launch.
The game, which once managed a peak of 330,723 concurrent players on the industry-leading digital games distribution platform, is now averaging around 30,000 daily players, dipping down to 17,000 players. As of the moment of the writing, Starfield is at number 54 on Steam’s most played chart, putting it closer to The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (#56) and Fallout 4 (#79).
This drop in player count isn’t just a statistical observation but also a reflection of the game’s reception. While Starfield has been acknowledged for its expansive universe, boasting over 1,000 planets to explore, and engaging gameplay, the open space RPG hasn’t escaped criticism. Many continue to raise concerns about its replayability, or the lack thereof, as well as the loading times, unnecessarily PG-rated storylines, and graphical inconsistencies. Although future updates do hold promise, especially with the help of modders, Starfield, as it is, doesn’t feel and look like a game built specifically to outlast its predecessors.
Despite these criticisms, Starfield’s numbers aren’t bad. In fact, Bethesda has reported over 6 million total players across all platforms. This makes Starfield the best-performing Bethesda launch ever. However, the game still falls short of Baldur’s Gate 3’s record of 875,343 concurrent players on Steam.
Comparatively, Skyrim and Fallout 4, as previously mentioned, continue to maintain strong player bases. This enduring popularity of Bethesda’s older titles contrast the declining player engagement. However, Steam numbers don’t give a complete picture. The first-party Xbox title will likely have more players on Game Pass, which Steam doesn’t account for.
Nevertheless, the fact remains that Starfield has left plenty feeling dissatisfied and disillusioned. The New Game Plus mechanic and the lack of incentives for exploration further compound its failure to captivate their interest for extended gameplay. This sentiment is shared by players who, despite enjoying the initial playthrough, found the allure of Starfield diminishing quickly.
Financially, Starfield has been a significant success for Bethesda and Microsoft, bolstering their position in the gaming market. This financial success, however, doesn’t necessarily align with the long-term player engagement and a critical acclaim that titles such as Skyrim have achieved. It raises questions about the evolving tastes and expectations of the fan base, especially in an era where players are looking for more than just expansive worlds but also depth, narrative strength, and replayability – three areas that Starfield where, as per the consensus, is severely lacking.
Bethesda’s approach to addressing the concerns and improving the game’s appeal will be important. Quality of Life updates, bug fixes, and enhanced content could draw players back. In addition, fans eagerly await the integration of official mod support, which could significantly enrich the experience albeit modders don’t feel as enthused anymore after their most recent revelation.
While Starfield has demonstrated impressive initial success and remains popular, its future will depend heavily on how Bethesda navigates player feedback and evolves the game. Balancing the technical aspects with engaging content and maintaining player interest will ensure Starfield’s lasting impact in the competitive gaming landscape.
