What is an RPG? For many purists, they are games where the player must assume a role within a world and make decisions that affect the course of the adventure. There are also systems that allow leveling up or specializing in a discipline. Undoubtedly, many current AAA games implement one or more of these elements, but does that mean they belong to the genre?
A few days ago, Todd Howard, director of [Starfield, participated in the Game Maker's Notebook podcast with Ted Price from Insomniac Games. There, he reflected on the evolution of RPGs and how the space-themed game fits into a genre that increasingly merges with other types of proposals.
Are all high-profile games RPGs now? Starfield Director's Opinion
When asked whether expectations for Starfield and role-playing video games, in general, have changed in recent years, the Bethesda creative agreed with those statements and stated that RPGs have blended with other types of titles.
"Yes, I think dramatically. I think the genre itself has blended with everything. I can't look at a game that doesn't have [an] XP and leveling system. So, what makes an 'official RPG game'? I think if you're a fan of old-school role-playing games, you'll have your own set of rules for that," commented the developer.
Todd Howard then affirmed that he loves the genre because it can be anything and can have many elements from other types of games like action. "Can you make a racing game into an RPG? I don't know, it depends on how you look at it," he remarked.
In this way, the director stated that they tried to stay true to Bethesda's style when working on Starfield, but he acknowledged elements like first-person shooting. "That's where our thinking on these things is, and we shy away from the idea that 'RPG means this type of interaction,'" he concluded.
Certainly, Todd Howard had a very insightful conversation with Ted Price, the founder of Insomniac Games. During the interview, he revealed that Starfield was designed with the goal of longevity, contrary to what happened with The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim or Fallout 3. Of course, they also discussed other topics related to Bethesda and the space-themed game.
But tell us, what is an RPG to you? Do you think it's okay for the genre to have elements from other types of games? Let us know in the comments.
Starfield is available for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and Game Pass.
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