Starfield‘s Design Director Addresses Community Concerns Following Shattered Space Release
Emil Pagliarulo, the design director for Starfield, has taken to social media to assure fans that Bethesda is actively addressing community concerns. This comes after his recent comments in an interview led some to believe that the company was satisfied with the lukewarm reception of the game’s latest expansion, Shattered Space.
Launched last week, Shattered Space has received mixed reviews from both fans and critics. Eurogamer’s review labeled it “one of Starfield’s most enjoyable storylines to date” but noted that it “once again struggles to offer any real consequences.”
Pagliarulo’s remarks in a Games Radar interview, in which he described Starfield as “in a lot of ways, the best game we’ve ever made,” drew considerable ire from the community, who felt his words were disconnected from the game’s critical reception.
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“It reads as if you and the team are patting yourselves on the head,” a fan commented in a thread on X, addressing Pagliarulo directly. “It’s a pat on the head that based on reviews may not be warranted.”
Pagliarulo responded thoughtfully, expressing his discomfort with leaving fans feeling unheard:
“As the design director, sometimes I’m asked or instructed to do interviews. I was happy to do that, to represent the designers and the studio. Seeing how hard and passionately they worked on Shattered Space, they deserved nothing less,” he noted.
He emphasized that his optimism “is in no way meant to be mud in the eye of any dissatisfied fan.” He remarked, “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.”
Furthermore, Pagliarulo acknowledged that in addition to the release of Shattered Space, Bethesda has been “spending a lot of time this year addressing community concerns and making fixes.” He reassured fans, stating, “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 concluded with a heartfelt message: “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.”
Pagliarulo’s openness is a positive sign for a community eager to engage with developers. He highlighted the importance of maintaining a “bridge to the devs,” which could foster a stronger relationship between fans and the studio.
What are your thoughts on the Shattered Space expansion and Pagliarulo’s comments? Join the discussion in the comments below!