“Revamping Game Beginnings: Why Titles Like Starfield Deserve a Bold Start”

Some games fail to provide enjoyment until you have dedicated countless hours. The gaming sector may take cues from how fiction authors and the publishing realm emphasize the initial moments of engagement between the audience and the narrative.

During the holiday season, I revisited several games that I had previously attempted and forsaken. Currently, I am about 20 hours into Bethesda’s space exploration RPG Starfield (having attempted to play it twice before), and it seems to finally be becoming somewhat enjoyable.

Many games today are notoriously lengthy. Major RPGs such as Baldur’s Gate 3, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Persona 5, and The Witcher 3, can take players well over 100 hours to finish. Merely completing the principal story arcs of these titles can consume 20-50 hours.

This hasn’t always been the trend, but in recent times, games have become lengthier. As reviewers and gamers have pointed out, these games, even if outstanding, can require an eternity to reach the exciting part.

I found the initial 15 hours of Starfield extremely monotonous. Were it not for my affection for Bethesda’s previous titles (and if Starfield wasn’t accessible via Xbox Game Pass), I doubt I would have returned.

Some games are difficult to engage with due to their high level of challenge. Acquiring a new set of mechanics and refining a fresh skill set can feel daunting.

For the most part, however, I have struggled to immerse myself in various recent RPGs, including Starfield and Dragon Age, as these games do not employ storytelling methods to hook me within the initial hour.

This starkly contrasts with how other storytelling forms and genres function—in fiction writing, the introductory sentence plays a vital role.

In their book concerning the publishing industry, The Bestseller Code, authors Matthew Jockers and Jodie Archer highlight that the initial sentence of a bestseller serves as an essential hook, “a combination of voice and conflict” that must leave the reader hungry for more.

Consider John Grisham’s opening line in The Rainmaker: “My choice to become a lawyer was irrevocably confirmed when I discovered my father despised the legal profession.” In under 20 words, Grisham establishes a commanding voice, introduces the narrator, and suggests a conflict between father and son, igniting curiosity. We yearn to learn more about this character.

This style of opening line might appear simple, yet it’s quite challenging to execute. Condensing character and intrigue into a few phrases without resorting to exposition is no easy feat. These opening lines provoke questions while withholding answers.

Games can, and do, implement analogous strategies. One of Bethesda’s earlier titles, Skyrim, takes several elements from the bestseller playbook: the initial fifteen minutes are packed with conflict and pose questions that the player desires to resolve.

You awaken in a cart en route to your execution. You observe other prisoners being executed. Then, it’s your turn—you kneel, the ax is poised to swing, and suddenly, a dragon descends upon a nearby structure and commences destruction. You flee, running for your life.

There exists unresolved conflict not only between the player and the imperial guards but also between the player and the dragon. The inability to defend yourself compels you to sharpen your skills. You depart with lingering questions regarding your imprisonment and your place in the world.

In contrast, Starfield introduces itself by having you join a space mining team and discover an alien artifact. Pirates appear, attempting to seize the artifact. You quickly defeat them. You acquire a ship. Following this, you are essentially free to pursue whatever you desire. The game grants you total freedom without adequately developing characters to spark your interest.

Considering that numerous games encompass over 50 hours of gameplay, it is understandable that the initial moments are often deprioritized—players will have ample time to familiarize themselves with locations, characters, and game mechanics. Simultaneously, without a robust introduction, it becomes challenging for players to grasp their characters’ motivations. Even extensive RPGs like Starfield would benefit from focusing more on the equivalent of their opening line—had they done so, it might take less than 20 hours for these games to begin feeling enjoyable.