Gaming industry auteur Todd Howard, recently shared some news that evokes some mixed emotions regarding the highly anticipated release of The Elder Scrolls 6. As part of the press tour for Starfield, – Bethesda’s upcoming sci-fi epic set to launch this September, – the studio’s lead game director and executive producer briefly touched upon the company’s other major release; The Elder Scrolls 6.
Todd Howard is widely recognized for his work on successful franchises such as Fallout and The Elder Scrolls, as well as his involvement in the highly anticipated Starfield. As fans eagerly await the release of the space exploration adventure, – which marks Bethesda’s first original IP released in over 25 years, – speculations arise concerning the future of this influential gaming powerhouse.
During a conversation with IGN, Howard revealed Bethesda’s future plans, stating that The Elder Scrolls 6 will be the next major title after Starfield, followed by Fallout 5. However, Howard curiously hinted that his long-standing leadership role within the company might undergo a change following the release of The Elder Scrolls 6. In the interview, he discussed the evolving landscape of game development, where the focus has shifted away from simply finishing a game, launching it, and moving on to its sequel. Nowadays, development teams are expected to provide long-term support and frequent updates for each release, which has prompted Howard to reflect on the trajectory of his career.
The company’s approach to the release of Starfield will align with this modern mindset. The team aims to offer extensive ongoing support and continuous updates for the game. As excitement builds for The Elder Scrolls 6, it also leads to introspection. Although Howard did not provide specific details, the passage of time has clearly raised some concerns for him. He openly acknowledges that he is not getting any younger and contemplates the duration of players’ engagement with Elder Scrolls games, raising the possibility that The Elder Scrolls 6 might be his final project.
Will The Elder Scrolls 6 mark the end of an era?
Although an official release date for the next instalment of The Elder Scrolls series has not been revealed yet, this recent information undeniably hints at the possible conclusion of a remarkable career in the gaming industry. Bethesda’s development strategy, combined with the fact that a teaser for The Elder Scrolls 6 was first showcased at E3 2018, leads to speculation about whether this highly anticipated game might bypass the current generation of gaming consoles entirely.
Considering the extensive post-release support and the enduring popularity of Elder Scrolls games, there is hope that Todd Howard will remain with the company for the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, the thought of a Bethesda game without Howard at the helm is undeniably daunting, and only time will reveal if The Elder Scrolls 6 truly marks his final project as the company’s director.
The Elder Scrolls 6 is in development.
Source: IGN
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