While some Bethesda fans may not have received Starfield with open arms, one of its own former designers is optimistic about the potential for a successful sequel, citing a strong foundation for future development.
While opinions about Starfield were mixed, it’s undeniable that the game didn’t resonate with everyone. While Certain has its highlights, several factors justify skepticism, and the underwhelming reception of its initial expansion, Shattered Area, does little to alleviate concerns about the franchise’s overall quality. In a recent interview with VideoGamer, Bruce Nesmith, former designer on The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, expressed enthusiasm for the possibility of a Starfield 2, reflecting on how Bethesda’s work on Oblivion played a significant role in shaping the quality of Skyrim?
“After developing Skyrim, Bethesda benefited significantly from their previous experience with Oblivion, which itself built upon the success of Morrowind.” The simplicity of childhood memories lingered, untainted by the complexities of adulthood. We simply needed to move forward by refining and incorporating fresh elements. We didn’t have to start at ground zero. Without needing to start from scratch, we could have achieved a few more years of progress in just two or three years.
I’m eager for the release of Starfield’s successor. I’m confident that this event will prove an exceptional experience, effectively addressing many of the concerns people have been expressing: “Are we almost there?” While we’re still missing a crucial piece, it’s poised to absorb the existing material and infuse it with fresh content, ultimately resolving many of the outstanding problems.
To elevate his standing, Nesmith drew parallels with established franchises like Dragon Age and Assassin’s Creed, noting that many intellectual properties tend to showcase flashes of brilliance amidst a sea of otherwise unremarkable content that may not resonate with every audience member. No, they’re not nearly as blazingly trendy. As often as not, it’s only after the second or third iteration that the design truly starts to flourish and all its component parts come together seamlessly.
The studio’s growth trajectory isn’t without precedent; typically, refining mistakes from earlier games is necessary to create an even better subsequent installment. The primary drawback here lies in the fact that nearly 13 years have passed since Skyrim’s release, and despite its flaws, it was still significantly improved upon at the time compared to Starfield, which has had only a year to mature. While The Elder Scrolls 6 remains years away, with Fallout 5 scheduled to follow subsequently, it’s unclear when or even if we’ll see a Starfield 2, let alone whether there will be a substantial fanbase to sustain interest. Maybe the lesson here is that developing more modestly scaled video games could potentially expedite progress.
