Former Bethesda developer Will Shen, a veteran who contributed to titles like Starfield, Fallout 4, and Fallout 76, has voiced concerns about the prevalent length of modern AAA games. He suggests player fatigue is setting in due to the sheer time commitment required by many current releases.
Shen's comments, shared in an interview with Kiwi Talkz (via Gamespot), highlight a growing trend: a significant portion of gamers are tiring of the dozens of hours demanded by many AAA titles. He argues that the market is saturated with lengthy experiences, making it increasingly difficult for another long game to stand out. He cites the success of games like Skyrim as a contributing factor to the rise of these "evergreen" titles, comparing this influence to the impact of Dark Souls on the popularity of challenging third-person combat. Critically, he points out that most players don't complete games exceeding ten hours, emphasizing the importance of game completion for meaningful story engagement.
This trend, according to Shen, has fueled a resurgence of shorter games. He uses the indie horror title Mouthwashing as an example, suggesting its success is directly linked to its concise playtime. He believes a longer version, burdened with side quests and extra content, would have received a significantly different reception.
Despite the growing appeal of shorter experiences, Shen acknowledges that longer games like Starfield, with its 2024 DLC Shattered Space and a rumored 2025 expansion, remain a significant part of the industry landscape. The continued success of expansive RPGs suggests that while player fatigue is a factor, the demand for lengthy, immersive experiences persists.
