From its very inception, Starfield was a project defined by its grand scale and lofty goals, admits Emil Pagliarulo of Bethesda Game Studios. After decades of specializing in high fantasy and post-apocalyptic landscapes, the studio ventured into the cosmic RPG genre, despite lacking prior experience in space simulation mechanics.
In a recent interview, Pagliarulo noted that developing Starfield was a significant gamble, yet he emphasized that such high-stakes challenges have always been a primary motivator for Bethesda. For the team, raw ambition serves as a cornerstone of their identity, even when it requires navigating uncharted territory. Rather than obsessing over market trends or sales forecasts, the developers prioritized creative freedom, focusing on building a universe that truly sparked their own imaginations.
Pagliarulo also suggested that the weight of anticipating millions of future players’ expectations can lead to creative paralysis. To avoid this, Bethesda adopts a philosophy of rapid iteration: they implement content quickly to test its viability and are unafraid to scrap features that don’t fit the vision—even if it means discarding months of hard work.
Despite the polarized reception following its release, the studio remains firm in the belief that they delivered the exact experience they intended to create. For Bethesda, Starfield was more than just a game; it was an experiment, a calculated risk, and a bold reaffirmation of their unique approach to game design, even if the result didn’t resonate with everyone.
Source: iXBT.games