Pete Hines, Head of global publishing at Bethesda Softworks, defends Starfield’s bugs by saying, “We embrace chaos”
The most anticipated global game release of 2023 by Bethesda Softworks was Starfield, and now it’s finally here. The game hasn’t been fully launched yet, but the early access version has already gone viral. The game was released in early access form on September 1 and as soon as it hit the stores, it became a blockbuster. The launch of the game was pre-celebrated with an amazing scavenger hunt campaign where Bethesda hid 1001 billboards all over the world. Overall, everyone loves the game but just like other roleplaying games (RPG) like Skyrim and Fallout by Bethesda, it is a bit buggy. The global publishing head of Bethesda Softworks, Pete Hines has spoken about it and here’s everything we know.
Bethesda’s Publisher, Pete Hines says “We embrace chaos” while defending Starfield’s bugs
Credit: Bethesda Softworks
At last week’s Gamescom 2023 held from August 23 to August 24, GameIndustry.biz (GI.biz) spoke to the global publishing head of Bethesda Softworks, Pete Hines. When talking to him, GI.biz asked about the history of Bethesda’s open-world action RPG games being a “bit buggy.” To this question, Pete Hines responded in his usual manner saying:
“We embrace chaos”, Peter Hines said. “We could make a safer, less buggy, less risky game if we wanted to. But what we try to lean into is player freedom. Yes, there’s going to be some little things here and there where your companion might stand a little too close to you sometimes, yet the freedom you get, and the things that happen because of that, we absolutely love and embrace.”
As said above, Hines suggested that making a less buggy and smaller game is always an option. He said that he prefers to push the limits and achieve something that gives players more freedom. He said they at Bethesda love to embrace the freedom that they can provide. He further said that:
“Of course there are bugs. But does it take away from your experience? Or do you have a consistent, fun game that you just can’t stop playing and experimenting with?”
With those last irrefutable sentences, he ended the question on a strong note. Needless to say, no one, not a single player will be seen complaining about the bugs in the game after this! The way Hines explained that they do it so that players can have freedom is truly amazing. Starfield is set to release globally on September 6, 2023, and you can check out the global release timings here. With all the reviews we have seen thus far, the game seems to be running pretty smoothly and mod support is also coming right after launch Hence, make sure to stay tuned for more information on Starfield because we will be sure to keep you updated!