- Starfield was supposed to be the next big Xbox IP, but it had a lukewarm reception.
- Former Bethesda dev says the game would’ve been a hit if some other studio made it.
- The expectations from Bethesda games are too high, and it didn’t land there.
Starfield was supposed to be Xbox’s biggest game in years, matching the scale and success of Bethesda’s other IPs like Fallout and Elder Scrolls. However, it couldn’t deliver the hype around it, but the studio veteran suggests why that happened.
Former Skyrim lead says that Starfield would’ve been a big hit if it were developed by some other studio rather than Bethesda. The weight of expectation that comes from being a Bethesda RPG is too much, and the game crumbled under it.
Why it matters: Starfield was indeed a very promising endeavour when it was first announced. Fans loved the concept, and the expectations were through the roof, but unfortunately, it couldn’t deliver.
Talking to Press Box PR, Bruce Nesmith talked about how Starfield could’ve had a very different fate if it hadn’t developed by Bethesda. He said if a smaller studio had made it, the reception would’ve been very different.
Let’s assume that a new studio had put out Starfield. I suspect it would be talked about like the second coming. But because it was released by Bethesda, the expectations were so much higher
– Bruce Nesmith
Nesmith praised the space RPG, saying that it’s a really good game, but it isn’t one that people expected. Being a Bethesda title comes with expectations, and that is up to the marketing team to manage them.
Indeed, the concept of Starfield is wonderful, and it does a lot of things right. Traveling through the massive space is a lot of fun, but it isn’t complemented by the weak storyline, lifeless planets, and other issues.
Nonetheless, the title is expected to receive a massive update soon, which is rumored to be a bit like Cyberpunk’s 2.0 update. The PS5 port is also expected this year, so it might finally get the redemption it is aiming for.
What are your thoughts on Starfield being a hit if it were developed by another studio? Let us know your opinions in the comments or join the discussion at the official Tech4Gamers Forum.
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News Reporter
Abdullah is an avid gamer who primarily plays single-player titles. If you can’t find him anywhere, he’ll probably be at his desk playing The Witcher 3 for the millionth time. When he isn’t playing games, he’s either reading or writing about them.
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