Summary
The release ofThe Elder Scrolls 6has been a long time coming. Development was officially announced back at E3 2018 when Bethesda released a short teaser following the announcement ofStarfield. The teaser didn’t show much aside from some countryside, mountains, and a distant castle keep. Of course, this was enough to excite fans, who were quick to speculate on the new setting for the game. But after all these years, there has still been no official word on the status of the game. Considering the lastElder Scrollsgame was released over ten years ago now, the need for an “in-between” game before the release ofThe Elder Scrolls 6is more clear than ever.
Bethesda’sFalloutseries is a perfect example of how in-between games can not only serve to hold off the release of main numbered games in a franchise but also stand on their own.Fallout: New Vegasis a shining example of how outsourcing can work in favor of a franchise.Fallout 3reestablished the franchise in the modern era by utilizing elements of Bethesda’sElder Scrollsseries combined with elements ofthe originalFalloutgamesfrom Black Isle Studios and Interplay Entertainment. And while Bethesda moved on to focus onSkyrimand eventuallyFallout 4, Obsidian was able to develop a truly unique game that fans can enjoy between releases.
Why The Elder Scrolls Should Outsource Developers
The Elder Scrolls Needs A New Vegas
It is not entirely uncommon for studios to outsource sequels. BioWare’sStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republichad a sequel developed by Obsidian, the samedevelopers ofFallout: New Vegas. Even theCall of Dutyfranchise often alternates developers with each release. It is this staggered release schedule that allows for more games to come out in a reasonable time frame. Of course, not every game needs to be as extreme as having a yearly release, but sooner than every ten to fifteen years would be appreciated.
Not only does the “New Vegas"model of the game allow for more reasonable release schedules, but it also creates an opportunity for different voices to work with the material. Obsidian managed to embody the essence ofFallout 1and2in a way thatFallout 3hadn’t while still building upon what Bethesda accomplished. The result was a unique game that stood the test of time. The writing anddesign elements ofNew Vegascould only have been done by Obsidian, and it would be interesting to see another developer attempt something similar withThe Elder Scrolls.
What A Non-Bethesda Elder Scrolls Can Be
With so many great developers today, there are seemingly endless options for studios to take onThe Elder Scrolls. Some developers that could have an interesting take on the franchise could be:
Now thatXbox owns Activision Blizzardand ZeniMax Media, there is ample opportunity for collaboration between great RPG developers. Bethesda and Obsidian are under the same roof, so to speak, as is Blizzard. Seeing either of these studios take on the world ofThe Elder Scrollscould certainly be special.
Other interesting alternatives could be CD Projekt Red, developer ofThe Witcherseries andCyperpunk 2077,as well as Larian Studios, the developer behindBaldurs Gate 3. Each of these studios has a very different take on RPGs, but each of their unique styles could potentially do well intheElder Scrollsuniverse. Although it may be too late to see an “in-between"Elder Scrollsgame beforeThe Elder Scrolls 6, perhaps in the future the series will consider doing so.
