It's time to get real about Starfield

[Wobblyshrimp]

The game has been out for several months now. The forum has been drastically split and providing some entertainment and funny distractions, joke posts etc.

But I think it's time to look at what is, in my opinion, the biggest concern with Starfield that Bethesda needs to address and get some control over.

My stance on the game is that it is overall not enjoyable, but I understand how some players are enjoying it. I believe reviews that place the game in the 5-6 range are for the most part fair and accurate. I particularly find that my views on the game have aligned with something like Angryjoe's review. Yes I know he is obnoxious, but he very evidently loves video games and I appreciate his take. I gave the game 90 hours before I decided it just wasn't fun enough to keep playing. Some of you may think this is crazy, how can you play for 90 hours and say the game isn't at least somewhat entertaining? Well, maybe it was somewhat entertaining at points. I have also loved all of Bethesda's previous titles (cept FO76, but I havent played it enough yet). And this made me feel I needed to give Starfield a thorough look and at least complete all the quest lines.

We can nitpick everything in Starfield, complain about woke content or w/e, but I honestly don't think this is the problem. The main problem with Starfield is Bethesda.

Bethesda has definitely been known for hype and trying to get people excited about their games. This is starting to become a real problem though. The last time that Bethesda's hype was excusable based on the product they released was IMO Skyrim. Since then, Todd and Bethesda have been ramping up their hype/marketing campaigns while simultaneously cutting features from their titles that players of these sandbox rpgs love. I believe with Starfield they have reached a point where it is now completely inexcusable and they absolutely CANNOT take this trend further with their next releases. I hope that this is a stance that many people can agree with and voice to Bethesda whether or not you are enjoying the game, because Bethesda should be more than capable of still putting out titles that can be universally praised, but they are spending too much time and money marketing and hyping up a game that does not live up to it.

This is also very important. This is not a story of a consumer feeling robbed of money. I would of bought Starfield even if it was universally panned as I believe a title like this deserves a look no matter what since I have always loved past BGS rpgs and I don't care about spending money on it, and I am not requesting my money back. Responses that say things like, "well don't fall for hype" etc. are missing the point of what I am saying. I believe Bethesda needs to do some soul searching and figure out what they want their future titles to look like, and how they want people to perceive them as developers. I for one, a lifelong Bethesda fan, am extremely disappointed in what they have become and I know I am absolutely not alone in feeling this.

[alanc9]

It's a fair point.

I'm a little outside of this issue, myself. As far as I'm concerned Bethesda is, at best, the 5th best extant CRPG developer. Maybe lower. I rate Starfield about with Skyrim, but that's because I think Skyrim is very overrated.

[Wobblyshrimp]

Originally posted by alanc9:

It's a fair point.

I'm a little outside of this issue, myself. As far as I'm concerned Bethesda is, at best, the 5th best extant CRPG developer. Maybe lower. I rate Starfield about with Skyrim, but that's because I think Skyrim is very overrated.

Yes, I can see how the points wouldn't completely resonate with someone who may not be as avid a fan of their past titles as I am. Maybe this makes enjoying Starfield easier too.

[Knottypine]

I think what should be considered is this is Bethesda's attempt at creating a game with multiple worlds. Previously they concentrated on making a single map, more hand crafted content, in one fantasy place that feels alive. They stepped out of their comfort zone, created something they never did before. Sure it has it's flaws. Expectations are based on the single map fantasy worlds they've created before.

[Call Sign: Raven]

Originally posted by Knottypine:

I think what should be considered is this is Bethesda's attempt at creating a game with multiple worlds. Previously they concentrated on making a single map, more hand crafted content, in one fantasy place that feels alive. They stepped out of their comfort zone, created something they never did before. Sure it has it's flaws. Expectations are based on the single map fantasy worlds they've created before.

This.

I keep repeating the same idea: Michael Jordan has gone on record to mention how many shots he has missed in his lifetime of training basketball, before he was considered one of the best in the sport.

I believe that we place unrealistic expectations on games companies to 100% nail every freaking release no matter what. It's a real "perfect or fail" mindset that some of us fall into as gamers.

If Bethesda is "failing" right now, then I eagerly await their next slamdunk. Again, Michael Jordan missed many shots before becoming the best. It's in those failings that we truly learn to fly.

Seeing Bethesda step outside their comfort zone is fantastic, since we currently live in a time where most games companies are afraid to do just that. The mixed reviews are enough evidence to justify this.

[tkwoods]

Originally posted by Call Sign: Raven:

Originally posted by Knottypine:

I think what should be considered is this is Bethesda's attempt at creating a game with multiple worlds. Previously they concentrated on making a single map, more hand crafted content, in one fantasy place that feels alive. They stepped out of their comfort zone, created something they never did before. Sure it has it's flaws. Expectations are based on the single map fantasy worlds they've created before.

This.

I keep repeating the same idea: Michael Jordan has gone on record to mention how many shots he has missed in his lifetime of training basketball, before he was considered one of the best in the sport.

I believe that we place unrealistic expectations on games companies to 100% nail every freaking release no matter what. It's a real "perfect or fail" mindset that some of us fall into as gamers.

If Bethesda is "failing" right now, then I eagerly await their next slamdunk. Again, Michael Jordan missed many shots before becoming the best. It's in those failings that we truly learn to fly.

Seeing Bethesda step outside their comfort zone is fantastic, since we currently live in a time where most games companies are afraid to do just that. The mixed reviews are enough evidence to justify this.

I have to concur. Give it a couple years and see what happens. They laid a very firm foundation to build on for years to come.

[Wobblyshrimp]

Originally posted by Call Sign: Raven:

Originally posted by Knottypine:

I think what should be considered is this is Bethesda's attempt at creating a game with multiple worlds. Previously they concentrated on making a single map, more hand crafted content, in one fantasy place that feels alive. They stepped out of their comfort zone, created something they never did before. Sure it has it's flaws. Expectations are based on the single map fantasy worlds they've created before.

This.

I keep repeating the same idea: Michael Jordan has gone on record to mention how many shots he has missed in his lifetime of training basketball, before he was considered one of the best in the sport.

I believe that we place unrealistic expectations on games companies to 100% nail every freaking release no matter what. It's a real "perfect or fail" mindset that some of us fall into as gamers.

If Bethesda is "failing" right now, then I eagerly await their next slamdunk. Again, Michael Jordan missed many shots before becoming the best. It's in those failings that we truly learn to fly.

Seeing Bethesda step outside their comfort zone is fantastic, since we currently live in a time where most games companies are afraid to do just that. The mixed reviews are enough evidence to justify this.

I would love for Bethesda to have another slamdunk with ES6, but I don't they can unless they change their course. ES6 cannot be devoid of features they have had in the past but cut out with Starfield.

[Xenomorph Kitty]

Originally posted by Call Sign: Raven:

Originally posted by Knottypine:

I think what should be considered is this is Bethesda's attempt at creating a game with multiple worlds. Previously they concentrated on making a single map, more hand crafted content, in one fantasy place that feels alive. They stepped out of their comfort zone, created something they never did before. Sure it has it's flaws. Expectations are based on the single map fantasy worlds they've created before.

This.

I keep repeating the same idea: Michael Jordan has gone on record to mention how many shots he has missed in his lifetime of training basketball, before he was considered one of the best in the sport.

I believe that we place unrealistic expectations on games companies to 100% nail every freaking release no matter what. It's a real "perfect or fail" mindset that some of us fall into as gamers.

If Bethesda is "failing" right now, then I eagerly await their next slamdunk. Again, Michael Jordan missed many shots before becoming the best. It's in those failings that we truly learn to fly.

Seeing Bethesda step outside their comfort zone is fantastic, since we currently live in a time where most games companies are afraid to do just that. The mixed reviews are enough evidence to justify this.

Difference is, while MJ had to train to where he is now. Bethesda has gone backwards. The comparison doesn't quite work.

Fallout 4 was the start. As was their intend on re-releasing Skyrim over and over to keep their built up cul-.. I mean fanbase going.

Then 76 launched and there was the whole debacle around that, and the various things around it like their flippant support responses, the actual lies they told people. Fake merchandise made of wrong materials and helmets that grew mold inside them.

Now it's Starfield, a game that while better than 76, is a middling 5 at best. Yet their out of game stupid behavior has continued. Emil writing that whiney rant on twitter, their copy/paste Chat GPT dev responses to negative reviews.

"You're playing the game wrong! The astronauts that went to the moon were not bored! And there was nothing there either!"

I want Bethesda to improve. But they have done NOTHING in the last years to make me think they will. And this constant bout of free passes they ALWAYS receive is getting really old. "It's okay for a Bethesda game." "It's the least buggy!" "Mods will fix it."

They do not deserve praise for a game that took eight years to make, and many more before that in the conceptual stage to not stick it's landing, even with their diehard fans. Stop making excuses for bad companies, stop condoning their awful customer service and products with "Well they tried!"

It's not good enough.

[Knottypine]

Originally posted by Call Sign: Raven:

Seeing Bethesda step outside their comfort zone is fantastic, since we currently live in a time where most games companies are afraid to do just that. The mixed reviews are enough evidence to justify this.

Agree. Fallout 76 was also out of their comfort zone. They gave fans what they've been asking for. While it had a rocky launch, I haven't played it since then, from what I've read it is in a much better state now.

[Wobblyshrimp]

Originally posted by Seri:

Originally posted by Call Sign: Raven:

This.

I keep repeating the same idea: Michael Jordan has gone on record to mention how many shots he has missed in his lifetime of training basketball, before he was considered one of the best in the sport.

I believe that we place unrealistic expectations on games companies to 100% nail every freaking release no matter what. It's a real "perfect or fail" mindset that some of us fall into as gamers.

If Bethesda is "failing" right now, then I eagerly await their next slamdunk. Again, Michael Jordan missed many shots before becoming the best. It's in those failings that we truly learn to fly.

Seeing Bethesda step outside their comfort zone is fantastic, since we currently live in a time where most games companies are afraid to do just that. The mixed reviews are enough evidence to justify this.

Difference is, while MJ had to train to where he is now. Bethesda has gone backwards. The comparison doesn't quite work.

Fallout 4 was the start. As was their intend on re-releasing Skyrim over and over to keep their built up cul-.. I mean fanbase going.

Then 76 launched and there was the whole debacle around that, and the various things around it like their flippant support responses, the actual lies they told people. Fake merchandise made of wrong materials and helmets that grew mold inside them.

Now it's Starfield, a game that while better than 76, is a middling 5 at best. Yet their out of game stupid behavior has continued. Emil writing that whiney rant on twitter, their copy/paste Chat GPT dev responses to negative reviews.

"You're playing the game wrong! The astronauts that went to the moon were not bored! And there was nothing there either!"

I want Bethesda to improve. But they have done NOTHING in the last years to make me think they will. And this constant bout of free passes they ALWAYS receive is getting really old. "It's okay for a Bethesda game." "It's the least buggy!" "Mods will fix it."

They do not deserve praise for a game that took eight years to make, and many more before that in the conceptual stage to not stick it's landing, even with their diehard fans. Stop making excuses for bad companies, stop condoning their awful customer service and products with "Well they tried!"

It's not good enough.

Yes, thanks for adding details about the 76 launch. I neglected to, but I think it further highlights what I was saying.

[--=Judas=--]

Originally posted by Call Sign: Raven:

Originally posted by Knottypine:

I think what should be considered is this is Bethesda's attempt at creating a game with multiple worlds. Previously they concentrated on making a single map, more hand crafted content, in one fantasy place that feels alive. They stepped out of their comfort zone, created something they never did before. Sure it has it's flaws. Expectations are based on the single map fantasy worlds they've created before.

This.

I keep repeating the same idea: Michael Jordan has gone on record to mention how many shots he has missed in his lifetime of training basketball, before he was considered one of the best in the sport.

I believe that we place unrealistic expectations on games companies to 100% nail every freaking release no matter what. It's a real "perfect or fail" mindset that some of us fall into as gamers.

If Bethesda is "failing" right now, then I eagerly await their next slamdunk. Again, Michael Jordan missed many shots before becoming the best. It's in those failings that we truly learn to fly.

Seeing Bethesda step outside their comfort zone is fantastic, since we currently live in a time where most games companies are afraid to do just that. The mixed reviews are enough evidence to justify this.

Well said.

You, my friend, win the discussion boards today ….


.

[Bobby Tables]

I don't care. I have a lot of fun with this game.

[PIT_DEFENDER]

Originally posted by --=Judas=--:

Originally posted by Call Sign: Raven:

This.

I keep repeating the same idea: Michael Jordan has gone on record to mention how many shots he has missed in his lifetime of training basketball, before he was considered one of the best in the sport.

I believe that we place unrealistic expectations on games companies to 100% nail every freaking release no matter what. It's a real "perfect or fail" mindset that some of us fall into as gamers.

If Bethesda is "failing" right now, then I eagerly await their next slamdunk. Again, Michael Jordan missed many shots before becoming the best. It's in those failings that we truly learn to fly.

Seeing Bethesda step outside their comfort zone is fantastic, since we currently live in a time where most games companies are afraid to do just that. The mixed reviews are enough evidence to justify this.

Well said.

You, my friend, win the discussion boards today ….


.

Game is good cause its bad xD Fanboy logic XD

[stvlepore]

Bethesda has definitely been known for hype and trying to get people excited about their games.

I'm just going to pick this sentence out. Its not an issue, its called marketing. Every commercial you see does the exact same thing. It is their job. If consumers buy the hype as is, caveat emptor.

[major tom]

the topic says it all. the problem is that this game is halfbacked, more like a beta in many departments and quite overrated and overhyped during release. it is ok that some people have fun with loading simulation in perfection and they should - as long as they don't try to gaslight anyone.

[Krudtugle]

I think the people who actually "enjoy" it are the kind of spicy, ambiguous fellows who attend AGDQ, or who like to get lost in mindless grinding for grindings sake. I think this group and the paid shills make up probably 95% of the people defending the game.