In an interview with MTV at the 2009 D.I.C.E. Summit, Todd Howard listed the three principles that every game designer should have:

1) “An ability to leave even their favorite ideas on the cutting room floor.”

2) “The capability to think smaller and keep things simple.”

3) “Being able to define a project by the experience you want people to have, rather than just a laundry list of features.”

Considering the quality of the latest Bethesda project, Starfield, we think he possesses those qualities.