Starfield Dev Shares Message With Fans Who Want a Bug-Free Launch

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Starfield Dev Shares Message With Fans Who Want a Bug-Free Launch

Key Takeaways

  • A bug-free launch is an “impossible” goal for any game, Starfield Systems Designer Bruce Nesmith said.
  • The former Bethesda developer still acknowledged that the studio’s game could be more polished.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I can wholeheartedly relate to Bruce Nesmith’s sentiments about the elusive quest for a bug-free game launch. I’ve seen more than a few titles that were as riddled with bugs as a Swiss cheese, and yet, they still managed to captivate us gamers in their unique ways.

In an interview, Bruce Nesmith, the developer behind Starfield from Bethesda, stated that it is impractical to achieve a completely error-free launch for the kind of games Bethesda aims to create. He also touched upon the expectation among Bethesda fans for bug-free day-one releases in the gaming industry.

2023 found me eagerly anticipating Microsoft’s commitment from Matty Booty, assuring us that Starfield would boast the least bugs among all Bethesda games to date. While it didn’t quite live up to that expectation in a monumental way, I can attest to its overall stability and reduction of game-breaking bugs. However, some passionate fans have voiced their displeasure, claiming that the initial release of Starfield could have been more refined.

In a conversation with VideoGamer, Starfield’s Systems Designer Bruce Nesmith stated that achieving a bug-free launch is an unattainable objective for any company, particularly one aiming to develop the intricate, system-driven RPGs Bethesda is recognized for. He clarified that there isn’t a single game on the market today without bugs, and as complexity increases within the systems, so does the potential for malfunctions. Furthermore, fixing these issues requires significant resources, and since no game will ever be completely flawless, a release date must ultimately be set.

Starfield Dev Concedes That Bethesda Games ‘Could Have a Higher Degree of Polish’

Despite any reservations, the seasoned industry professional openly acknowledged that Bethesda’s games might benefit from a greater level of refinement. When asked why this isn’t achieved yet, Nesmith explained that in the past, players were more forgiving of bugs in games that offered them extensive freedom. For instance, an NPC getting stuck in a wall was tolerable if it allowed for 17 different interactions, while most games only provided two possibilities, according to the developer.

There is no game on the market that is bug free.

Nesmith further expressed that bugs inevitably lead to difficulties in setting appropriate user expectations. If users anticipate a bug-free experience but such perfection is inherently unattainable, developers face a decision between full disclosure – revealing the list of bugs prior – or dealing with technical issues behind the scenes after launch, accepting criticism for perceived flaws in the game’s final product. Bethesda has opted for the latter approach so far.

Since leaving Bethesda in 2021 to pursue a career as an urban fantasy novelist, Nesmith has been candid about the difficulties the company faces during The Elder Scrolls 6’s development. In a more recent conversation, he expressed that the game might struggle to meet fan expectations, not because Bethesda isn’t putting in effort, but due to the immense challenges involved. The much-anticipated sixth mainline entry of this legendary RPG series is tentatively slated for release around 2029.

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2024-10-15 21:24