Former Skyrim Developer Criticizes Modern Open World Games Design
A former developer behind the iconic game Skyrim has spoken out against the current state of open world games. He argues that modern games are suffering from fatigue because they are designed like 'checklists'. While there are still standout titles like Elden Ring and Zelda: Tears Of The Kingdom, many others have fallen into the trap of being overly bloated and uninspired.
The Checklist Design Issue
Former developer Nate Purkeypile, known for his work on Fallout and Elder Scrolls games, highlighted the problem with the checklist approach in modern open world games. He believes that these games no longer offer the sense of true discovery that older titles did. According to him, the abundance of tasks and objectives in today's games takes away from the joy of exploration.
The Impact of Team Size
Purkeypile pointed out that the size and structure of development teams play a significant role in the current state of open world games. With thousands of people working on a single project, the focus shifts towards meeting production targets rather than fostering genuine creativity. He compared this to his experience working on Skyrim with a smaller team, where individual contributions and passion for creating unique content were prioritized.
Balancing Scale and Creativity
The developer also discussed the challenges faced by studios like Bethesda in balancing scale and creativity. He noted how their latest title, Starfield, was developed by a large team spread across multiple studios. While the game still features individual storytelling and hidden gems, Purkeypile emphasized the difficulties of maintaining a sense of wonder in such massive projects.
Looking to the Future
Despite his criticisms, Purkeypile remains optimistic about the future of gaming. He left Bethesda to work on a new project, highlighting his desire to focus on smaller-scale development. As for Starfield, the game is set to receive expansions in the coming months, promising more content for players to explore.
In conclusion, the former Skyrim developer's insights shed light on the challenges faced by modern open world games. By reevaluating their design principles and prioritizing creativity over sheer scale, developers can potentially revitalize the genre and reignite players' sense of wonder and discovery.