geekone
The Silent Protagonist: A Bold Choice for Starfield
The highly anticipated sci-fi RPG Starfield, developed by Bethesda Game Studios, is set to release on September 1. One of the most notable differences between Starfield and Bethesda’s previous hit, Fallout 4, is the decision to feature a silent protagonist. In a recent interview with Polygon, lead designer Emil Pagliarulo shed light on this creative choice and its impact on player immersion.
Pagliarulo acknowledged that the negative fan reaction to the voiced protagonist in Fallout 4 played a role in the decision to go with a silent protagonist in Starfield. Despite having over 13,000 lines of dialogue, the voiced protagonist in Fallout 4 faced criticism for the reduced number of dialogue options. Bethesda even went as far as hiring an actor and recording a few lines of dialogue, but ultimately decided against it.
“We hired an actor, we got the voice, we listened to him and we were like, ‘You know what, this guy is too specific,'” Pagliarulo recalled.
Instead, Bethesda wanted to focus on providing players with maximum freedom and expression. They considered the possibility of using multiple voice actors or opting for one voice actor who was “more convenient.” However, they realized that the only way to truly allow players to be the person they wanted to be was to have an unvoiced protagonist.
“We realized that the only way to really do it and let the player be the person they want to be was to have an unvoiced protagonist,” Pagliarulo explained.
Reflecting a Change in Gaming
While the decision to have a silent protagonist in Starfield may be surprising to some, it reflects a broader trend in the gaming industry. Pagliarulo noted that there was a time when every protagonist in AAA games was voiced, but developers have started to question this approach.
“We started realizing, ‘You know what, maybe that’s not the case, maybe fans will actually enjoy the game even more…'” Pagliarulo said. “We played with different things. There’s a big argument, if in Fallout 4 and other RPGs, players don’t like reading a line of dialogue, a player response, and then they click it and get [a different spoken line].”
One of the challenges with voiced protagonists is the potential repetition. Players often have to wait for the character to say the same thing they just read, which can be frustrating. By opting for a silent protagonist, Bethesda was able to create a vast world with over 200,000 lines of spoken dialogue in Starfield.
Silent protagonists have gained popularity in RPGs due to the rise of fully customizable characters. Games like Baldur’s Gate 3 have embraced this trend, leaving the hero unvoiced. However, it’s worth noting that other major RPGs, such as Mass Effect, have found success with voiced heroes.
The Impact of Starfield’s Approach
Starfield’s decision to feature a silent protagonist will undoubtedly be a point of interest for players when the game releases. It offers a unique opportunity for players to fully immerse themselves in the role of their character, shaping their own story without the limitations of a pre-determined voice.
With the return of first-person dialogue trees reminiscent of Skyrim and Fallout 3, Starfield aims to provide players with a rich and immersive narrative experience. The absence of a voiced protagonist allows for greater player agency and the freedom to explore the vast universe of Starfield on Xbox Series X|S and PC.
As we eagerly await the release of Starfield, it will be fascinating to see how players respond to this bold creative choice. Will the silent protagonist enhance the game’s immersion and customization, or will players miss the presence of a voiced hero? Only time will tell.
For more insights into the development of Starfield, be sure to check out our interview with director Todd Howard.
Kat Bailey is IGN’s News Director as well as co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat. Have a tip? Send her a DM at @the_katbot.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings