Hoping Elder Scrolls 6’s Lengthy Development Sets it Apart from Starfield in Key Ways

Bethesda’s latest venture, Starfield, has joined the prestigious lineup of Fallout and The Elder Scrolls, which understandably set the bar high for its release. This anticipation only grew with Starfield’s lengthy development, marred by significant delays, something we’ve seen with The Elder Scrolls 6 as well. Set in a universe centered around space exploration, Starfield promised a fresh experience, but not everyone feels it met the lofty expectations Bethesda set for it.

The Elder Scrolls series is undeniably one of Bethesda’s flagship franchises. Skyrim, for instance, ranks among the top-selling games ever. With The Elder Scrolls 6 next on Bethesda’s agenda, fans have been eagerly waiting for news for nearly a decade. Following Starfield’s letdowns, there’s some skepticism about how the next Elder Scrolls installment will fare. However, if Bethesda takes heed of the lessons from Starfield’s journey and proceeds cautiously before unveiling The Elder Scrolls 6, it could evade similar pitfalls.

As fans anticipate The Elder Scrolls 6, there’s hope it won’t stumble as Starfield did. Being a well-established series, it hasn’t experienced the same kind of reboots Starfield did during its creation. This could mean a smoother development process and a more refined final product that aligns with players’ expectations.

Bethesda, having navigated the complexities of creating Starfield, is likely to bring that experience into the development of The Elder Scrolls 6. As the spotlight moves to The Elder Scrolls 6, it’s crucial that the game is only revealed once Bethesda is certain it will meet, or even exceed, what players hope for, especially given its prolonged development timeline.

A trend in the AAA game industry involves making major announcements only a few months before the release. This practice ensures all elements are ready, minimizing the risk of over-promising features or mechanics that end up missing in the final game. Announcing too early can lead to players expecting something different from what gets delivered.

Rather than giving into pressure to announce The Elder Scrolls 6 after fans have been waiting since 2011, Bethesda should focus on ensuring the game’s development is progressing well. This might mean holding off on the announcement a bit longer, but if it results in a game that truly satisfies players, the wait will be justified for one of the most cherished gaming series.