Bethesda Veteran Warns Fan Expectations for ‘Elder Scrolls VI’ Are ‘Nearly Impossible to Meet’ Despite Decade of Development

With all the time it took to ES6 to get out, the situation has become a meme for some time now. That said, many are filled with impatience for The Scrolls of the Ancients VI.

But according to a well-informed source, the high expectations for the game may be too high to meet. And if Starfield and other releases are any indication, Bethesda could be in trouble.

Bethesda’s Self-Created Boss

Bethesda has released some pretty big games. This includes games like Skyrim And To fall. Both games are from long-loved franchises, so it’s understandable that the company has a lot on its plate with its next big RPG, and former Bethesda lead designer Bruce Nesmith believes it will be “nearly impossible” for the game to satisfy every fan.

In an interview with Kiwi TalkzNesmith shared his thoughts on the challenges Bethesda faces with The Scrolls of the Ancients VI. “The Scrolls of the Ancients VI “It’s definitely going to be an incredible game, but it’s going to be compared to every game that Bethesda has ever made,” Nesmith explained. He made a direct comparison to the studio’s other titles, such as Fallout 4, Fallout 76and the recent Star fieldnoting that these games faced similar difficulties due to very high fan expectations.

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Managing expectations

Nesmith pointed out that one of the biggest challenges for game developers is setting realistic expectations. Given Bethesda’s legacy, managing fan expectations is critical to The Scrolls of the Ancients VI is essential. “You know, a 30-year-old professional artist creating a piece of art can’t control his expectations because he’s got all this history, you know — it’s there whether he likes it or not,” Nesmith said, noting the burden that past success places on future projects. He believes the same applies to fans waiting for the game to come out, adding that their expectations are “almost impossible to meet.”

In the past, Bethesda‘s track record of delivering immersive, world-building RPG experiences has created a loyal and passionate fan base. However, this also means that the slightest misstep can lead to harsh criticism; which was the case with Fallout 76 And Star field In recent years.

Nesmith referred to how BethesdaA game’s marketing team often faces this pressure, stressing that “if it’s not perfect, it’s just not going to get a 95+ on Metacritic,” which can lead to a game being labeled a “failure.”

Long wait creates pressure

It is no secret that The Scrolls of the Ancients VI has been in the works for a long time. The game was officially announced in 2018, with a short trailer. BethesdaTodd Howard revealed this at a time when fans were clamoring for updates. “The torches and pitchforks” were out, Howard admitted, with players eager for news on the next installment in the franchise.

But, with each passing year, the pressure on Bethesda to offer increases. Fans have waited over a decade for a sequel to Skyrim. This while waiting for the next episode of the The Scrolls of the Ancients franchise has become something of a meme. That’s because the time between The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion And The Elder Scrolls: V Skyrim I had only been playing for four years, so some fans created memes to express their frustration.

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To date, fans have waited about double that time, as Skyrim was released in 2011. And so far, the company has stated that the game is slated for release in “early” 2026, which is a staggering fifteen years between games. So here’s another meme:

As a development on The Scrolls of the Ancients VI As the game continues to grow, players eagerly await any news related to its release. And Nesmith’s comments seem to show that trying to top a previous game can be a daunting task, even for a studio the size of Bethesda.

Finally, Nesmith offers advice to game developers. Set expectations carefully and avoid overpromising. “The best approach for developers,” he notes, “is to manage expectations, to try to create expectations” for the audience.

If you’re interested, you can watch the full Bruce Nesmith interview below:

Mentioned this article: Bethesda Bruce Nesmith Elder Scrolls VI Fallout Skyrim

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