Starfield Developer Admits Game Didn’t Reach Fallout, Elder Scrolls Quality

A former Bethesda designer has publicly stated that Starfield, the studio’s 2023 space role-playing game, does not reach the same quality level as their previous flagship titles, Fallout and The Elder Scrolls.

The designer attributed the difference in quality to Starfield’s heavy reliance on procedural generation for its planets. According to the developer, this led to environments that “start to feel very samey,” diminishing the immersive experience. “I don’t think it’s in the same calibre as the other two, Fallout or Skyrim,” the designer said. The comments highlight ongoing discussion about the balance between expansive open worlds and detailed, handcrafted content in modern game development.

The criticism centers on the vastness of Starfield’s universe, which features over 1,000 planets, many created using procedural generation techniques. The designer also described space itself as “inherently boring,” suggesting a fundamental challenge in translating the studio’s established formula to a spacefaring setting. This admission comes as fans eagerly await news regarding the next installment in The Elder Scrolls series, which is currently in development.

Bethesda has not yet officially responded to the designer’s comments, but the statements have fueled speculation about the future direction of the studio’s RPG design. The company is known for its immersive world-building, a hallmark of titles like Fallout 4, and these remarks raise questions about how Bethesda will approach open-world creation in future projects.

Bethesda officials have indicated they are taking player feedback into consideration as development continues on future titles.

1. If Starfield Had Been Released by a Studio Other Than Bethesda ‘It Would Have Been Received Differently,’ Former Developer Says  IGN
2. Starfield Designer Says Game Fell Short Of Fallout And Elder Scrolls, Calls Space “Inherently Boring”  GameSpot
3. Starfield designer admits Bethesda’s space epic isn’t “the same caliber” as Fallout and Elder Scrolls because it’s full of procedural generation: “The planets start to feel very samey”  GamesRadar+
4. Former Bethesda designer says Starfield fell flat because of its reliance on procgen planets: ‘I don’t think it’s in the same calibre as the other two, Fallout or Skyrim’  PC Gamer
5. Starfield Dev May Have Just Dropped A Promising Elder Scrolls 6 Tease  GAMINGbible