Todd Howard Reveals Why Bethesda Games Are So Massive and Content-Packed

Todd Howard recently shared the reason behind the massive size of Bethesda’s open-world games, which are known for being packed with hundreds of hours of content at launch. The studio has built a reputation for releasing games with vast worlds, full of exploration opportunities and side quests. While Starfield's main story can be completed in under 20 hours, the game offers a wealth of additional content, from side missions to entire planets waiting to be explored. Now, Howard is explaining why Bethesda's game worlds are consistently so huge.

Expansive worlds filled with content have been a hallmark of Bethesda’s games since its early days. Titles like Skyrim include a wide variety of major questlines alongside the main storyline, allowing players to join guilds and explore the richly detailed world of Tamriel. Similarly, Fallout 4 features a plethora of in-game activities, including building settlements and engaging with a deep dialogue system. According to Howard, the immense size of these games can be attributed to Bethesda’s approach of cutting very little during development.

As reported by Insider Gaming, Todd Howard explained in a recent interview with BAFTA why Bethesda’s games are so large. He stated that the company’s development philosophy is to avoid cutting content, leading to what he calls “irresponsibly large” games. He credits the creativity of the studio's staff for contributing to the breadth and depth of the worlds they create, setting Bethesda apart from other game developers.

Todd Howard on Bethesda’s Massive Games

Howard also delved into Bethesda's design process, explaining how the studio creates its expansive worlds. He emphasized that their goal is to build worlds that feel "believable" as if they could exist in reality. In addition, Bethesda places great importance on giving players the freedom to play their games however they choose. Howard highlighted the element of "curiosity" in their game design, aiming to hook players with intriguing details and hidden surprises that keep them coming back for more.

Howard’s comments come at an exciting time for Bethesda fans. The studio is set to release its first major DLC for Starfield, titled Shattered Space. This expansion will bring new story content centered around House Va'Ruun, along with additional equipment and new planets and star systems to explore. Bethesda’s commitment to large-scale, content-rich games ensures that each new release will continue to offer players massive, immersive experiences.