Starfield and the Slowing Pace of Bethesda Games: Navigating Dungeons, Boosting Speed, and Streamlining Merchant Interactions


Highlights

  • Bethesda's games have gained a reputation for their immersive open worlds and rich storytelling, but some players have noticed a trend of slower pacing with each new release.
  • Factors contributing to this slower pace include larger and more time-consuming dungeons, lack of player speed enhancements, tedious merchant dialogue, and slower passage of time.
  • To improve player engagement, Bethesda could strike a balance between immersion and efficiency, reintroduce player speed enhancements or vehicles, streamline merchant interactions, and provide options for faster time progression.

It's no secret that Bethesda games have a reputation for their immersive open worlds and rich storytelling. However, some players have started to notice a common trend - the pace of these games seems to be getting slower and slower with each new release. In this article, we will delve into the evolution of Bethesda's game design philosophy and explore the factors that contribute to this perceived decrease in pace.

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One aspect that has noticeably changed is the clearing of dungeons. In the earlier days of Bethesda games, players could swiftly navigate through dungeons, completing them in a matter of minutes. However, in more recent titles like Starfield, the dungeons have become larger and more time-consuming to clear. While this may be an intentional move to create a sense of immersion and exploration, it can sometimes feel like a tedious task. To address this, Bethesda could strike a balance between the size of dungeons and the time required to clear them, ensuring that they remain engaging without becoming overly time-consuming.

Another factor that has contributed to the slower pace is the player speed. In games like Oblivion, players had the ability to increase their running speed, which was particularly useful in vast open spaces. However, this feature seems to have been overlooked in games like Starfield. To rectify this, Bethesda could consider reintroducing the option to enhance player speed or even introduce vehicles to traverse the expansive landscapes, allowing players to navigate their surroundings more efficiently.

Merchant dialogue is another area that can slow down the pace of the game. It's a common frustration for players when merchants repeatedly ask if there's anything they can't find, despite not actually providing that option. This unnecessary dialogue can become a time-consuming task, especially when players just want to proceed with transactions. To streamline this process, Bethesda could implement a system that allows players to skip filler dialogue and go directly to the transaction screen. Additionally, incorporating automated kiosks in games like Starfield could further enhance the efficiency of trade interactions.

Lastly, the passage of time in Bethesda games, particularly when waiting or sleeping, has become increasingly slower. While some players appreciate the realism and immersion this brings, others find it to be a time-wasting aspect. To address this, Bethesda could provide options to pass time more quickly, allowing players to restock merchants or progress through the game at a faster pace. Balancing realism with player convenience could be the key to improving this aspect.

In conclusion, it's clear that the pace of Bethesda games has indeed slowed down over time. While this may be a deliberate choice to enhance immersion and exploration, it's important for the developers to consider the impact on player engagement. By finding a balance between immersion and efficiency, addressing player speed, streamlining merchant interactions, and providing options for faster time progression, Bethesda can create a more enjoyable and dynamic gameplay experience for their players.

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