Bethesda’s reputation for creating expansive, intricate worlds is undisputed. The award-winning studio has established its reputation with titles like Skyrim and Fallout in the past decade or so alone. It’s a high benchmark for sure. And with the release of their highly-anticipated space epic, Starfield, it seemed as if Bethesda wanted to aim higher. Bethesda’s long-time captain, Todd Howard, believes that Starfield isn’t only designed to outlast the longevity of its iconic predecessors but to redefine it.
During an insightful chat on the Game Maker’s Notebook podcast with Ted Price, the CEO of Insomniac Games, Howard unveiled some of Bethesda’s ambitions and motivations behind Starfield.
With discussions revolving around the growing scale of games, catalyzed by releases like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Starfield, an essential question arose: “Are games becoming too voluminous?” To this, Howard responded, hinting at the studio’s inherent desire to harness and exploit technological advancements. “It starts with the developers,” he mentioned. With evolving technology presenting new possibilities, the industry is invariably driven to adapt and grow. But the evolution doesn’t end at mere technological advancements. Today’s games, being live and receiving regular updates, set a certain expectation. Players benchmark new titles against mature ones they’ve relished for years.
Starfield, in particular, embodies an almost “irresponsible” scale, to use Howard’s word. The enormity of space demands a vast void that Bethesda bravely aims to fill, both literally and figuratively.
Diving deeper, Howard reflected upon the journey of one of the studio’s most iconic games The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – arguably the best-selling single-player RPGs of all time. The award-winning game, launched as a substantial offering on its lonesome, has metamorphosed over the years, courtesy of add-ons, mods, and consistent player engagement.
Taking a leaf out of Skyrim’s book, Bethesda wants to turn Starfield into a game of legacy. “This is a game made to be played for a long time,” Howard shared with conviction.
However, the intention behind Starfield’s design isn’t just rooted in longevity. Howard and his team acknowledge the player community’s evolving needs and hunger for continuous content. The staggering 60 hours of gameplay offered by Starfield, as rated by “How Long To Beat”, doesn’t merely cater to the storyline. It encompasses everything from ship assembly to explorations, interactions, and countless other elements. Every landing point on each unique planet offers distinct content.
Todd’s vision for Starfield is clear: “People are going to ask, what does Starfield look like in three months, in six months, a year, two years, three years, four years, five years? We’ve learned that that’s going to happen, so let’s be ready for it, make the most of it, and embrace it.”
But, while it’s impressive to hear what Howard envisions for Starfield, it’s another thing entirely to make it happen.
Starfield is the worst-reviewed game by Bethesda Game Studios on Steam, beating even the much-maligned Fallout 76. Its sliding review score on Metacritic doesn’t help either. Much of the valid criticism on Starfield is aimed at its repetitive if cyclical nature. Eventually, it all boils down to how gameplay revolves around fast-traveling between locations, doing marginally varied versions of what are ultimately similar tasks. The vastness, while impressive, may feel empty compared to the delightful spontaneous experiences in Skyrim, where it’s not unusual to stumble upon a wayward dog that takes you all the way to a meeting with a literal god (or, at least a demi-god).
Unlike with Skyrim, Starfield feels like Bethesda is leaning too heavily on modders to extend the life of the game. While not necessarily detrimental, it does hint at an unhealthy reliance on external help.
Despite these challenges and criticisms, Howard’s commitment to Starfield remains unshaken. For Bethesda, Starfield isn’t just another game in their roster but a testament to their vision, adaptability, and understanding of evolving player expectations. With Starfield, Bethesda is not only aiming for the stars but ensuring they create a galaxy where players can immerse, engage, and evolve for years to come.
Only time will tell if Starfield’s journey eclipses that of Skyrim and Fallout, but if Howard’s enthusiasm and confidence are anything to go by, the future is promising.
