Starfieldis Bethesda’s newest IP, which joined the likes ofFalloutandThe Elder Scrolls. Joining the ranks of such massive franchises meant that there were a lot of expectations placed onStarfieldon release, especially as it had a long development cycle that included significant delays - something thatThe Elder Scrolls 6is also going through. WhileStarfielddoes offer a completelydifferent world fromThe Elder ScrollsandFallout, with a space exploration setting, some players felt it didn’t live up to Bethesda’s promises or the hype.
The Elder Scrollsis one of Bethesda’s strongest franchises, withSkyrimone of the bestselling games of all time.The Elder Scrolls 6is next in Bethesda’s lineup, and fans have been waiting for news about it for close to a decade now. WithStarfield’s missteps, some players feel pessimistic aboutThe Elder Scrolls 6’s prospects, but if Bethesda learns from its mistakes withStarfield’s development, and takes its time before diving into a full reveal forThe Elder Scrolls 6, it may avoidStarfield’s biggest mistakes.
Bethesda Needs to Learn From Starfield’s Development Missteps For The Elder Scrolls 6
The Elder Scrolls 6is next in Bethesda’s line-up of releases, and many fans of the series are hoping that it’s more likely to avoid the same pitfalls that befellStarfield. As an established IP with a strong foundation,The Elder Scrolls 6thus far hasn’t gone through the same reboots in its development thatStarfieldexperienced, and should hopefully see a better development cycle and, ultimately, a more polished finished product thanStarfieldthat meets player expectations.
Bethesda has also already been through the growingpains of developingStarfield, and has hopefully learned from the experience to apply those learnings toThe Elder Scrolls 6. As the studio shifts its attention toThe Elder Scrolls 6, the full reveal and release date for the next game inThe Elder Scrollsshouldn’t be revealed until Bethesda is entirely confident that the game it’s produced at the very least meets player expectations, especially as it’s been in development for so long.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Could Benefit From a Shorter Marketing Time
One of the currenttrends in the AAA gaming industryis announcing a full reveal of a new launch just a few months before its release date. This ensures that all its components are in place, and lessens the chances of the developer making promises it can’t keep, such as game features or game mechanics not making it to the final product of the game. Game content often gets cut during video game development, and revealing information too early can result in miscommunication with players, who come to expect a different game than the one that gets delivered.
Instead ofrevealingThe Elder Scrolls 6too earlyin a bid to placate fans who have been waiting since 2011 for the next game inThe Elder Scrolls, Bethesda needs to ensure the development forThe Elder Scrollsis on the right track to create the game that players expect. That may realistically mean holding off officially announcingThe Elder Scrolls 6’s announcement for a while yet. However, if it means thatThe Elder Scrolls 6will be a game that meets player expectations, it’ll be worth the patience and waiting over a decade for news on one of the most beloved video game franchises.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
WHERE TO PLAY
Winner of more than 200 Game of the Year Awards, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim celebrates 10 years of adventuring in stunning detail. The Anniversary Edition includes a decade worth of content: the critically acclaimed core game and add-ons of Skyrim Special Edition, plus Creation Club content released on or prior to May 30, 2025.EPIC FANTASY REBORNSkyrim reimagines and revolutionizes the open-world fantasy epic, bringing to life a complete virtual world open for you to explore any way you choose.LIVE ANOTHER LIFE, IN ANOTHER WORLDPlay any type of character you’re able to imagine, and do whatever you want; the legendary freedom of choice, storytelling, and adventure of The Elder Scrolls is realized like never before.YOU ARE WHAT YOU PLAYChoose from hundreds of weapons, spells, and abilities. The new character system allows you to play any way you want and define yourself through your actions.BATTLE DRAGONSBattle ancient dragons like you’ve never seen. As Dragonborn, learn their secrets and harness their power for yourself.
