Bethesda designer reflects on Starfield's ambitious development

Kurt Kuhlmann, the lead systems designer for Starfield, has reflected on the ambitious development process of the title, suggesting that Bethesda may not have been the right studio for such a project.

Speaking with FRVR, Kuhlmann noted that Todd Howard’s vision was to create a massive space open-world game that was not merely “Skyrim in space,” but a distinct experience. While the team successfully executed the vision, Kuhlmann admitted that the project did not align with the studio’s core strengths, noting that the team had to tackle unfamiliar mechanics, such as space combat and vehicle systems, for the first time.

Kuhlmann also highlighted that despite the size of the development team, they lacked the necessary resources to produce the sheer volume of content required by the game’s expansive concept. He stated, “We would have needed much more.”