Bethesda's upcoming sci-fi RPG, Starfield, will feature a silent protagonist, a departure from Fallout 4's voiced hero.
Lead designer Emil Pagliarulo mentioned that fan reactions to Fallout 4 influenced this decision, as the voiced protagonist faced criticism due to limited dialogue options. While initially considering voice acting for the protagonist, Bethesda found that it limited player expression.
The choice for an unvoiced protagonist in Starfield allowed for a vast world with over 200,000 lines of spoken dialogue. Silent protagonists are gaining popularity due to customizable characters in RPGs. Starfield's approach reflects a shift in the industry, with the game's release set for September 1.