Starfield is an expansive game, even after the developers had to scale back its space exploration aspects before its final release. The game offers a plethora of activities, from romance options and ship customization to exploration and interactions with NPCs. Starfield follows in the tradition of Bethesda RPGs like the Elder Scrolls and Fallout franchises with its vast scope.
In a recent interview on the Game Makers Notebook podcast with Starfield Director Todd Howard and Insomniac CEO Ted Price, Howard discussed the deliberate scale of Starfield and how it was shaped by the long-term thinking that has become a hallmark of Bethesda games.
Todd Howard on Starfield's Longevity
The conversation began with Price asking Howard about the driving force behind the increasing complexity in modern games. Howard responded, "I think it starts with the developers. It has to, right? I think it starts with technology. You're seeing new hardware, and you want to use it in new ways."
Howard continued by noting the trend of games being played for extended periods, creating an expectation for longevity. He cited Skyrim as an example and explained how the game's enduring popularity influenced the development of Starfield. "One of the things we've learned from our previous games is that people want to play them for a very long time," Howard said.
He then outlined the questions that guided his team's approach to Starfield: "People are going to ask, what does Starfield look like in three months, what does it look like 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."
The expectation of long-term engagement with Bethesda titles has clearly influenced Howard and his team's plans for Starfield. While Bethesda is known for re-releases of its games, Howard's emphasis on being ready for long-term player engagement suggests a focus on new content development.
This approach is likely to be welcomed by Bethesda fans who are eager for fresh experiences rather than multiple re-releases of the same game. Though, a "Game of the Year," "Definitive Edition," "Anniversary Edition," and "Legendary Edition" for Starfield wouldn't be entirely unwelcome either.
