A former Starfield developer, Will Shen, suggests player fatigue is growing with the abundance of lengthy AAA titles. This saturation of the market with expansive games, he argues, is contributing to a resurgence of shorter gaming experiences.

Shen, a veteran with experience on titles like Fallout 4 and Fallout 76, points to the success of games like Skyrim as a factor in establishing the "evergreen game" model. However, he notes that many players don't complete games exceeding ten hours, impacting overall story engagement. This, he suggests, is leading to a shift in player preference.

In an interview, Shen highlighted the popularity of shorter games as a direct response to the market's current state. He cited the success of Mouthwashing, emphasizing its concise playtime as a key element of its positive reception. He contrasts this with the potential negative impact of extending the game with additional side quests and content.

Despite this trend toward shorter games, longer titles like Starfield remain prevalent. Bethesda's continued support for Starfield with DLC expansions like Shattered Space (2024) and a rumored 2025 expansion demonstrates the ongoing appeal of extensive gameplay. The industry, therefore, appears to be catering to both preferences simultaneously.