Starfield Exec Producer Todd Howard and Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer answer audiences' questions during Bloomberg Technology interview. Learn more about Starfield's PC optimization, Game Pass utilization, and the fans' reaction.
Starfield PC Optimization Backlash
Todd Howard's Comments Met With Disappointment
A recent interview with Starfield Executive Producer Todd Howard and Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer provided insight into some essential facets of Starfield. However, some of Howard's remarks about the PC optimization of the game received a lot of criticism from the gaming community.
Todd Howard addressed concerns about Starfield's PC optimization in an open conversation with Bloomberg Technology on September 7. He mentioned that the game is designed for next-generation PCs and suggested that players might want to consider updating their hardware for the best performance. This statement sparked criticism in the YouTube comments despite Howard's assurances.
Viewers expressed dissatisfaction, claiming that Howard's explanation dismissed valid concerns regarding the game’s PC performance. Some argued that a more sympathetic acknowledgment of the problem would have been much more appreciated, rather than criticizing players for failing to satisfy arbitrarily advised standards. Furthermore, rumors surfaced that Starfield's optimization seemingly favored AMD GPUs over NVIDIA, thus contributing to the issue.
Addressing Starfield's Exclusivity
Phil Spencer, the CEO of Microsoft Gaming, commented on Starfield's exclusivity. He highlighted that each situation will dictate how Microsoft handles game availability. Spencer's top objective is to ensure that gamers have various ways to access games—whether through Xbox consoles, PCs, or cloud gaming—and the freedom to select their favorite platform.
Timing and Competition in the Gaming Landscape
When asked about the time of Starfield's release, Todd Howard acknowledged the competitive atmosphere, citing successful titles such as Baldur's Gate 3 releasing in the same year. Howard expressed faith in Starfield's appeal, emphasizing their dedication to creating immersive environments that attract gamers.
The journalists received praise from the audience for asking penetrating questions that cut past advertising and addressed the genuine concerns of the gaming community. This open approach was appreciated because it gave important insight into the game's development and potential difficulties.
Starfield Reaching 6 Million Players
Despite the debate surrounding PC optimization, Starfield made a triumphant announcement on Twitter on September 8, 2023. The game proudly revealed it had already amassed over 6 million players, marking it the most successful Bethesda game launch. Fans flooded the post with congratulatory messages, celebrating the monumental achievement and expressing their admiration for the dedicated development team.
