Starfield Design Director Addresses Community Concerns After Shattered Space Launch
Starfield design director Emil Pagliarulo has taken to social media to assure fans that Bethesda is addressing community concerns, following his remarks in a recent interview that some interpreted as the company being satisfied with the game’s Shattered Space expansion.
Shattered Space launched last week to a lukewarm reception from both fans and critics alike. Eurogamer’s review described it as “one of Starfield’s most enjoyable storylines to date,” but noted that the experience “once again struggles to offer any real consequences.”
Pagliarulo faced criticism from the Starfield community for his comments in a recent GamesRadar interview, where he referred to Starfield as “in a lot of ways, the best game we’ve ever made,” despite its mixed critical reception. Many fans felt his words were disingenuous and disconnected from the community’s sentiments.
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“It reads as if you and the team are patting yourselves on the head,” a fan commented in a detailed thread on X directed at Pagliarulo. “It’s a pat on the head that based on reviews may not be warranted.”
In response, Pagliarulo posted his own lengthy reply, saying he disliked “leaving fans hanging.” He emphasized the effort and dedication of his team: “Seeing how hard and passionately they worked on Shattered Space, they deserved nothing less.” However, he acknowledged that his own “optimism is in no way meant to be mud in the eye of any dissatisfied fan.”
“Maybe it’s a game of expectations. Fans want a lot, and we do all we can to accommodate them. Here’s what I can tell you – nobody, and I mean nobody, at Bethesda is patting themselves on the back while ignoring our players,” he stated.
Moreover, Pagliarulo noted that in addition to launching Shattered Space, Bethesda has “spent a lot of time this year addressing community concerns and making fixes.” He assured fans, “We’ll continue to do so, and will be listening to our fans every step of the way. We make these games for all of you.”
He added, “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.”
Regardless of opinions on Shattered Space, Pagliarulo’s engagement with fans is promising, as he indicated that “I think a bridge to the devs is important.”
Previously, he responded to timeline issues with the Fallout TV show by sharing a “helpful little Fallout timeline” that included both the TV show and the games after fans expressed concerns about inconsistencies with canon.
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