Skyrim’s co-lead designer says Starfield’s main problem is that it never fully cohered as a game: ‘It was a releasable game, but it wasn’t the best’

Over the years, Bethesda has built a reputation for ambitious worlds that push the boundaries of what open-world RPGs can be. So hearing from Skyrim’s co-lead designer about Starfield’s development offers a rare glimpse behind the curtain of one of the industry’s most high-profile projects. According to him, the biggest issue with Starfield was that it never quite fully came together as a cohesive game. He describes it as a releasable product, but not the best it could have been.

That’s a candid take, especially given the enormous hype and immense expectations surrounding Bethesda’s first new IP in decades. It suggests that even seasoned teams wrestle with the challenges of delivering on grand visions while keeping everything seamless and polished. The reception Starfield got aligns with his expectations, perhaps confirming that some rough edges lingered despite the studio’s ambition.

In a landscape where every major release is scrutinized, this kind of honesty feels refreshing. It reminds us that even with years of experience and talent, creating a game that truly clicks on all fronts is no easy feat, particularly when breaking new ground. For Bethesda fans and game designers alike, it’s a telling moment about the realities behind making blockbuster games.

Source: pcgamer.com