The sequel to “The Elder Scrolls” franchise is probably a long time away, judging by recent rumors from Bethesda – but the studio is probably already moving forward with the game’s planning and development, even if they’re doing so at a slower pace. It’s curious to think about what they could possibly do to improve the current state of the game, as even though “Skyrim” was received mostly warmly by fans and critics, it did also get some criticism for simplifying the gameplay in certain areas.
The problem, according to most, was the fact that the game was starting to feel “dumbed down” in order to make it more attractive to a wider audience. The original “Elder Scrolls” games, for example, had a more complex quest system, where players had to search for clues on their own, talk to characters, and build a puzzle from all the pieces they could find.
Compared to the “follow the arrow” mechanic that most quests in “Skyrim” revolve around, it’s easy to see where old school fans are coming from. At the same time, the game did manage to improve the accessibility and immersion potential of the franchise significantly, making great use of modern technology – so it’s not like Bethesda didn’t do anything right. Far from that, in fact, as “Skyrim” was received very positively by pretty much everyone.
What could the company do to make the sixth installment in the franchise more appealing to everyone, including old-time fans and newcomers alike? A mix between the two quest systems could be a good start, and Bethesda could also probably work on the dialog system and make it more varied. Another point that some have been noting is the way dungeons work in the game, as they’re almost always the same experience with a different layout.
Another aspect that’s been getting mentioned here and there is the possibility of multiplayer, but that’s a very controversial topic among fans of “The Elder Scrolls”. While on one hand, the game could benefit significantly from the addition of an online experience, it could also be quite problematic to implement it correctly and in a way that pleases fans.
There’s also the problem of the technical issues that typically accompany every new release by Bethesda, not just in this franchise but in all of their open-world games, “Fallout” included. A multiplayer game can suffer particularly badly from bugs and glitches, and it might not work out so well with Bethesda’s traditional style of relying on post-release patches to iron out any issues that the game had at its release. Hopefully, if multiplayer is even on the table, Bethesda have learned a thing or two from “The Elder Scrolls Online” and will approach the idea more cautiously.
I miss skyrim sometimes but I hope there making TES 6, it was such a downfall on ESO and they would have to make it up. Fallout I really don’t care for but I hope they don’t quit the TES series, by which on how they made ESO, it seemed they just wanted to stop. But I hope the next ES is going to be huge so I would play all day every day.
I agree, ES is where it’s at. Fallout games are garbage as far as I’m concerned. Let’s hope the next ES is single player only, huge world and at least 200+ hours of gameplay.
While waiting, you could play The Witcher 3. It looks to be super awesome and when it releases I will be playing it a ton.
FALSE!!!! Bethesda should not be held accountable for ESO’s mistakes. Why? Because Bethesda didn’t make ESO, Zenimax Online Studios made it. They wont quite the single player series, Bethesda always had full focus on single player games, they simply gave another company the rights to use their title.
Also, ESO is an MMO. It isn’t suppose to be like the single player games. Only the lore would really be the same.
I understand and totally agree. I meant ES, as in Elder Scolls. Not ESO as in Elder Scrolls Online.
MMO’s suck I don’t like them.
Why does everyone think that an multiplayer option means online and with people you don’t know? It does not have to be that way. Just allow for the normal game with a friend or two or three to you join as a follower. It doesn’t need to be “online”, we have this thing called “LAN” that can very easily do that. Internet would be fine as well so that friends or family that don’t live with you can play but this idea that it HAS to be with random internet people is total ignorance. Why wouldn’t you want to play with your REAL LIFE FRIENDS in a game like this?
Go play the Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate II and their multiplayer and you will understand what I am talking about.
When I play an RPG, personally, I don’t wanna play with friends or strangers, period.
I like TES being a single player game with no multiplayer. Otherwise you have to negotiate what you’re gonna do, and I find that other people distract me and ruin the immersion.