In a recent interview with MrMattyPlays, Todd Howard, the charismatic face of Bethesda Game Studios, shared some insights into the company’s approach to post-launch content and monetization.
While discussing the lessons learned from Fallout 76‘s rocky launch and subsequent redemption, Howard touched upon a strategy that could very well shape the future of the eagerly anticipated Elder Scrolls 6.
The key takeaway? Offering substantial expansions for free while relying on optional monetization methods to support ongoing development. It’s a formula that has worked wonders for Fallout 76, and one that fans hope Howard will apply to future titles like Elder Scrolls 6.
Todd Howard on Fallout 76’s Redemption Arc
When Fallout 76 launched in 2018, it was met with a wave of criticism and disappointment from fans and critics alike. Technical issues, lack of content, and a departure from the series’ beloved single-player formula left many players feeling let down by Bethesda’s latest offering.
But rather than abandoning the game, Howard and his team doubled down on their noble commitment to improving and expanding it. Over the years, the game has received numerous updates and expansions, many of which were offered to players for free.
From the Wastelanders update, which introduced human NPCs and new questlines, to the more recent Skyline Valley expansion, Bethesda has consistently delivered meaningful content to keep players engaged.
As Howard explains in the interview:
The good news is that the other things you talked about like the Atomic Shop, Fallout 1st, the seasons and rank ups, and all of these things that are there […] those types of monetization, you know, they [sometimes] get a negative reaction, but the one thing they do allow us to do is do these big expansions and give them to everybody for free.
It’s undoubtedly a refreshing approach in an industry that often relies on paid DLC and season passes to try and keep players invested in a game long after its initial release.
A Promising Future for Elder Scrolls 6?
While Howard didn’t explicitly confirm that the Skyrim successor would follow the same post-launch content strategy as the latest Fallout game, his comments have certainly given fans reason to be optimistic. The prospect of receiving substantial free expansions—for a game as highly anticipated as this one—is undeniably appealing.
Of course, there will likely be some form of optional monetization, whether it’s through cosmetic items, convenience features, or something entirely else. However, as long as these monetization methods remain unobtrusive and don’t impact the core gameplay experience, most players will likely be more than happy to support the game’s ongoing development.
As Howard puts it:
I think there’s a debate there and like, ‘What is the right approach?’ …I will say that approach is working awesome for [Fallout] 76.
If Bethesda can strike a similar balance between free content updates and optional monetization, Elder Scrolls 6 could very well become the studio’s most successful and enduring game to date—and that’s saying something!
What do you think about Todd Howard’s comments on post-launch content and monetization? Would you be happy to see Elder Scrolls 6 adopt a similar approach to Fallout 76, with free expansions supported by optional purchases? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
