As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I can honestly say that Bethesda Game Studios’ Starfield expansion, Shattered Space, has left me feeling a bit conflicted. On one hand, I appreciate the passion and dedication of the development team, as evidenced by Emil Pagliarulo’s heartfelt responses to fans. On the other hand, as someone who’s been around since the Terminator days, I can’t help but feel a tad disappointed when expectations aren’t met – even with a studio of Bethesda’s caliber.
Approximately one year post-release, Bethesda Game Studios’ space epic Starfield debuted its initial paid expansion titled Shattered Space. Unfortunately, this update has faced some criticism due to mixed reviews from critics (we gave it a 6 out of 10) and predominantly negative feedback from Steam players.
A recent interview by Bethesda design director Emil Pagliarulo also riled some people up when he called Starfield the team’s “best game” in many ways (the full context is worth reading here). He has since responded on Twitter to a fan regarding the same.
In my role as a design director, it’s not uncommon for me to be asked or guided to conduct interviews. I was more than pleased to take on this task, as it provided an opportunity to showcase the dedication and fervor of our designers and studio. Witnessing their tireless effort and ardent work on Shattered Space, it felt only fitting to give them nothing less than my best representation.
During interviews, optimism and enthusiasm are usually expected, but Pagliarulo clarified this doesn’t mean to ignore the concerns of dissatisfied fans. He explained, “It’s not a matter of blindly ignoring criticism for the expansion. That’s not how things function.” About the criticism towards Shattered Space, he said, “If someone has played Shattered Space and still isn’t fond of it, I genuinely feel sad about that. However, it’s important to remember that we’ve also been receiving a lot of positive feedback from those who enjoy it.
Perhaps it boils down to managing expectations. Our audience desires much, and we strive to fulfill as best as we can. Let me clarify – not a single person at Bethesda is complacent or indifferent towards our players. In the days ahead, we’ll keep providing updates and addressing concerns while keeping close tabs on your feedback. We create these games with you in mind.
Of course, Pagliarulo notes that some fixes can take time due to the game’s size, where “every fix could potentially break something else.” “To close, let me just say… I love games. I love Bethesda’s games. I’ve been playing them since the Terminator days. All I or anyone here wants to do is make those games…and then make them better. No ego. No arrogance. Just a lot of hard work and appreciation of our fans.”
The game titled “Starfield: Shattered Space” can currently be played on PC and Xbox Series X/S. It’s been confirmed by Bethesda’s Todd Howard that a second expansion, tentatively named “Starborn”, is under development with an expected release in 2025.
As an eager fan, I’m excitedly looking forward to the annual updates that the dedicated development team is working towards. Although they haven’t disclosed a specific roadmap for enhancements and new content following Shattered Space, rest assured, I’ll be on the lookout for exciting developments in the near future! Keep your eyes peeled too, we’re all in this together!
Hello Stephen! It’s a pleasure to engage with your thoughtful insights. While there might be points where our perspectives diverge, I value your viewpoint and the reasoning behind it.
— Emil Pagliarulo (@Dezinuh) October 8, 2024
On Twitter/X, civil conversation has rarely been the norm, yet I feel compelled to contribute where I can. I dislike leaving fans in the dark. In fact, I often share more than necessary. That’s why we have a Community team. However, I believe fostering a connection with the developers is crucial.
— Emil Pagliarulo (@Dezinuh) October 8, 2024
Initially, there’s a need for interviews as the Design Director. On occasions when this is required or suggested, I gladly participate, acting as an advocate for our team of designers and the studio. Their relentless effort and fervor in creating Shattered Space merits nothing short of my active involvement.
— Emil Pagliarulo (@Dezinuh) October 8, 2024
During job interviews, it’s common to feel both optimistic and enthusiastic. Naturally, I tend to be quite optimistic and energetic – especially when discussing games. However, my optimism doesn’t serve as a blindfold for any disgruntled fans. It’s important to remember that everyone’s perspectives are valid and should be respected in the conversation.
— Emil Pagliarulo (@Dezinuh) October 8, 2024
Apart from me, everyone else here feels equally proud of Shattered Space as well. That’s because most of its quests and levels were crafted by designers who have previously worked on Bethesda games and DLCs, dating back to Morrowind. Their expertise truly shines through in their work.
— Emil Pagliarulo (@Dezinuh) October 8, 2024
If someone hasn’t experienced Shattered Space yet but enjoys games similar to Starfield, I strongly recommend they give it a try, as they might be missing out on something great. On the other hand, if someone has already played Shattered Space and didn’t enjoy it, that’s unfortunate for me personally. However, we have also been receiving positive feedback from many people who truly love the game.
— Emil Pagliarulo (@Dezinuh) October 8, 2024
Perhaps it’s about managing anticipation. Spectators have high hopes, and we strive to fulfill them as best we can. Let me clarify – not a single soul at Bethesda is feeling self-congratulatory while overlooking our audience.
— Emil Pagliarulo (@Dezinuh) October 8, 2024
Beyond focusing on Shattered Space, we’ve dedicated significant effort this year to tackling community issues and implementing improvements. This is a commitment that continues, with us keeping our players informed at each stage. We develop these games with you in mind.
— Emil Pagliarulo (@Dezinuh) October 8, 2024
Starfield is an expansive title, requiring careful consideration in handling issues. We strive to work efficiently and cautiously, understanding the intricacies that come with game development, especially for a game of Starfield’s scale. Each adjustment we make could theoretically impact other aspects of the game.
— Emil Pagliarulo (@Dezinuh) October 8, 2024
Wrapping up, allow me to express my passion – it’s all about games! My fondness extends especially to Bethesda’s creations, ones I’ve enjoyed since the era of Terminator. The common goal we share is to develop these games, strive to improve them, and nothing more. No room for ego or arrogance here, just a commitment to hard work and respect for our devoted fans.
— Emil Pagliarulo (@Dezinuh) October 8, 2024
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2024-10-09 17:41