Ex-Starfield Designer Acknowledges Game’s Problems: ‘Space Is Inherently Boring’

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Former Starfield Designer on Procedural Planets’ Perceived Emptiness and Missed Engagement

Bruce Nesmith, a former Bethesda developer who worked on Starfield, acknowledged that the game didn’t quite achieve the same critical heights as the studio’s other major successes, Fallout and Skyrim. Speaking to Frvr, Nesmith described Starfield as “a good game” but admitted, “It’s not as great as those others.” Despite this, he expressed pride in his work and that of his team. Starfield received mixed reviews from critics and fans, largely due to comparisons with its predecessors. Nesmith suggested that Starfield’s reception might have been different if it had been released by another company, given the high expectations placed on a Bethesda title. Nesmith identified the game’s use of procedural generation for planet creation as its most significant issue. While this method produced visually appealing worlds, it also underscored their perceived emptiness. As an astronomy enthusiast, Nesmith understood that space can be vast and often uneventful. However, he felt Starfield ultimately fell short when planets lacked distinctiveness and failed to evoke emotional engagement.

Expanded Starfield DLC in 2026 Brings New Narrative, Gameplay Systems, and Terran Armada

Another point of contention for Nesmith was the limited variety of enemies, primarily human, despite the presence of diverse alien creatures. He noted these creatures often served as mere visual flair, not contributing meaningfully to gameplay or narrative. Despite these criticisms and the mixed reception, Nesmith consistently maintained his overall positive assessment of Starfield. Shifting focus to future developments, Bethesda continues to expand Starfield with new content, nearly two years after its initial launch. Last September, the developer released a social media teaser video displaying “Terran Armada,” suggesting an upcoming downloadable content (DLC) expansion. Earlier, in August, Tim Lamb confirmed that the studio is actively working on fresh narrative DLC, which will also introduce new gameplay systems and additional surprises. This second major DLC is reportedly scheduled for release in 2026, aligning with Starfield’s rumored PlayStation 5 release.

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