Todd Howard wants Elder Scrolls 6 to be 'the ultimate fantasy-world simulator'
The game's director also often wonders if it was announced too early
Todd Howard has provided a brief update on The Elder Scrolls 6, the next game that he'll direct after Starfield.
The highly anticipated game was announced at E3 2018 with a brief teaser trailer which confirmed it was in pre-production at Bethesda Game Studios.
However, Bethesda also revealed Starfield at the same event, and the sci-fi RPG was ahead of the fantasy one in its release pipeline.
Following several delays, Starfield will arrive on September 6, and Elder Scrolls 6 will the studio's next flagship game, ahead of Fallout 5.
Asked if he regrets Elder Scrolls 6 being announced so long ago, Howard told GQ: "I have asked myself that a lot. I don't know. I probably would've announced it more casually."
Commenting on what he'd like to achieve with the game, Howard said: "It's like… I don't want to answer, but I want to be polite. I will say that we want it to fill that role of the ultimate fantasy-world simulator. And there are different ways to accomplish that given the time that has passed."
Howard said in June 2021 that Elder Scrolls 6 was still in the relatively early planning stages, and that it would benefit from the studio's work on Starfield.
"The [new Starfield] technology, Creation Engine 2, is sort of built for both [games]. It's like a new tech base," he told The Telegraph. "The vast majority of our development work is on Starfield right now but everybody works on everything so the projects kind of intertwine.
"It's good to think of The Elder Scrolls 6 as still being in a design [phase]… but we're checking the tech: 'Is this going to handle the things we want to do in that game?' Every game will have some new suites of technology so Elder Scrolls 6 will have some additions on to Creation Engine 2 that that game is going to require."
And in November 2021, Howard said he wished Bethesda could release Elder Scrolls 6 sooner than planned, while explaining why the game was still years away.
Speaking to IGN in an interview published to coincide with the 10th anniversary of the last mainline series entry, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Howard admitted the extended wait between franchise releases was not ideal.
However, he said Skyrim's enduring popularity—it's now sold over 60 million copies, according to Howard—and the 2014 launch of ZeniMax's Elder Scrolls Online meant the franchise remained "healthy" and had enabled Bethesda to branch out and try new things like Starfield.
"Would you plan to have the kind of gap we're having between Skyrim and the follow-up? I can't say that's a good thing," Howard admitted. "I wish I could wave a wand and the game that we want to make, and we have or haven't started things on just came out. Absolutely. But there's other things we want to do, right? Obviously, Fallout 4 was a huge success, we spent a lot of time on that. We wanted to go into online with Fallout 76.
"We felt doing something like Starfield – we'd wanted to do something else for a long time and play in a new universe. Well, if not now—I'm going back in time, we started it right after Fallout 4, so 2015, end of it—if not now, when? And it felt like the when, if we didn't do it then, the when could be never.
Source: VGC
The Elder Scrolls thread
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Dr. Zoidberg
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Dr. Zoidberg
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Re: The Elder Scrolls thread
Bethesda Declined Obsidian's Proposals to Develop The Elder Scrolls Spin-Offs
Allegedly, numerous suggestions to create Fallout: New Vegas 2 and TES spin-offs were turned down.
If you are a devoted fan of the Fallout franchise, chances are you already know a thing or two about the chaos and turmoil that marked the development and release of Obsidian's Fallout: New Vegas.
The controversy surrounding the game's ridiculously short development time and all that nasty business with the game's score of 84 on Metacritic have been known to the community for years, leading many Fallout enthusiasts to develop a disdain towards Bethesda and leaving thousands to speculate what kind of gaming gem could have emerged if Obsidian had been granted the necessary time and resources.
However, as we all know, despite facing setbacks, the team still managed to deliver an experience that some argue matches, if not exceeds, the quality of the original Fallout games, with the prevailing sentiment being that New Vegas is a superior and more impactful entry than all of Bethesda's Fallout titles, a viewpoint that's hard to argue against. Even to this day, some still believe that the absence of Fallout: New Vegas 2 is a consequence of Bethesda's pettiness and unwillingness to acknowledge that Obsidian's 3D take on Fallout was leagues ahead of the then-new Fallout 3.
As it turns out, there might actually be some substance to this theory, considering a noteworthy piece of evidence, largely overlooked at the time, that was shared nearly two years ago by none other than Chris Avellone, a renowned Game Designer and one of the key figures in the history of Fallout.
In a dated Twitter thread rediscovered recently by Twitter user @nuke_lea, Avellone stated that the team had presented numerous ideas for a new Fallout game to Bethesda, but unfortunately, all were turned down. Moreover, Avellone alleged that Obsidian even approached Bethesda with a proposal to develop spin-offs similar to FNV for The Elder Scrolls franchise, but these suggestions were also met with rejection.
Unfortunately, more than a decade has passed since then, so it is unlikely that we'll ever learn the reason why Bethesda refused Obisian's repeated proposals to create spin-offs for their franchises. Was it Bethesda's hesitance to allocate resources to a new project, especially considering Skyrim was actively in development at the time? Or did it stem from New Vegas' less-than-stellar sales figures? Or maybe the aforementioned theorists are right, and Bethesda simply didn't like the idea that Obsidian outshone them with FNV? I guess it is up to anyone to decide for themselves.
Source: 80.lv
Damn you Bethesda you dipshits!
Allegedly, numerous suggestions to create Fallout: New Vegas 2 and TES spin-offs were turned down.
If you are a devoted fan of the Fallout franchise, chances are you already know a thing or two about the chaos and turmoil that marked the development and release of Obsidian's Fallout: New Vegas.
The controversy surrounding the game's ridiculously short development time and all that nasty business with the game's score of 84 on Metacritic have been known to the community for years, leading many Fallout enthusiasts to develop a disdain towards Bethesda and leaving thousands to speculate what kind of gaming gem could have emerged if Obsidian had been granted the necessary time and resources.
However, as we all know, despite facing setbacks, the team still managed to deliver an experience that some argue matches, if not exceeds, the quality of the original Fallout games, with the prevailing sentiment being that New Vegas is a superior and more impactful entry than all of Bethesda's Fallout titles, a viewpoint that's hard to argue against. Even to this day, some still believe that the absence of Fallout: New Vegas 2 is a consequence of Bethesda's pettiness and unwillingness to acknowledge that Obsidian's 3D take on Fallout was leagues ahead of the then-new Fallout 3.
As it turns out, there might actually be some substance to this theory, considering a noteworthy piece of evidence, largely overlooked at the time, that was shared nearly two years ago by none other than Chris Avellone, a renowned Game Designer and one of the key figures in the history of Fallout.
In a dated Twitter thread rediscovered recently by Twitter user @nuke_lea, Avellone stated that the team had presented numerous ideas for a new Fallout game to Bethesda, but unfortunately, all were turned down. Moreover, Avellone alleged that Obsidian even approached Bethesda with a proposal to develop spin-offs similar to FNV for The Elder Scrolls franchise, but these suggestions were also met with rejection.
Unfortunately, more than a decade has passed since then, so it is unlikely that we'll ever learn the reason why Bethesda refused Obisian's repeated proposals to create spin-offs for their franchises. Was it Bethesda's hesitance to allocate resources to a new project, especially considering Skyrim was actively in development at the time? Or did it stem from New Vegas' less-than-stellar sales figures? Or maybe the aforementioned theorists are right, and Bethesda simply didn't like the idea that Obsidian outshone them with FNV? I guess it is up to anyone to decide for themselves.
Source: 80.lv
Damn you Bethesda you dipshits!
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Dr. Zoidberg
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Re: The Elder Scrolls thread
Report: The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remake Is Real; First Gameplay Improvement Details Revealed
Key Takeaways
Today, we can confirm the project is indeed real. A mistake made by a former Virtuos employee has provided us with not just confirmation of its existence, but also insights into gameplay improvements set to be implemented to the original game.
A Return to Cyrodiil in Unreal Engine 5
The information comes from the website of a former Virtuos employee, whose name we won't disclose for privacy reasons, and who worked on the game from 2023 to 2024. Before this, the individual worked on games such as Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, Call of Duty: Warzone and more.
A description of the project provided on the site confirms that the title is being developed using Unreal Engine 5 and will be "fully remade," hinting at significant changes in this reimagining compared to the original game. Brief descriptions of six gameplay systems that will be reworked are also provided: Stamina, Sneak, Blocking, Archery, Hit Reaction, and HUD.
For the Blocking system, ideas to improve it were taken from Souls-like and "ACT" games (we're not sure which games this refers to, but our guess is the Assassin's Creed Ezio Trilogy), as the original system was considered too "boring" and "frustrating." The Sneak icons are now highlighted in the improved Sneak system, and the damage calculation methods were reworked. The stamina system was modified to be less frustrating for the player, making the knockdown that occurs when stamina is depleted more difficult to activate through changes in calculation methods. The HUD was changed to make it easier to understand and more aesthetically appealing to young players. Hit reactions were also added to improve the response to damage inflicted on the player and NPCs. Finally, Archery was improved to make it more playable and modern in both third and first-person viewpoints.
These pieces of information dispel any doubt that this is merely a port to another graphic engine like Grove Street Games did with the "Definitive Edition" of the old Grand Theft Auto trilogy. Instead, it will be a full-fledged remake that reworks everything seen in the original title. These doubts make sense if we recall an old list of Microsoft vs. FTC documents from 2022, which listed an "Oblivion Remaster" that we assume eventually transformed into the remake.
With the Xbox Developer Direct Event set to take place on January 23, and Microsoft teased in the announcement image that it will feature the participation of an unannounced "brand new game," some might be wondering if this remake is the game being alluded to. Unfortunately, that won't be the case, as some insiders claim it won't be shown at the event. This was collaborated with our own sources, who also said The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion remake won't be at the upcoming Xbox direct show airing January 23. However, if we follow NateTheHate's report stating that the game is planned for release in June this year, we shouldn't have to wait long for an official announcement.
Source: MP1st
Key Takeaways
- A remake of The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion is in development by Virtuos using Unreal Engine 5.
- The game is confirmed to be fully remade, implying significant changes compared to the original.
- Gameplay improvements include reworks to Stamina, Stealth, Blocking, Archery, Hit Reaction, and HUD.
Today, we can confirm the project is indeed real. A mistake made by a former Virtuos employee has provided us with not just confirmation of its existence, but also insights into gameplay improvements set to be implemented to the original game.
A Return to Cyrodiil in Unreal Engine 5
The information comes from the website of a former Virtuos employee, whose name we won't disclose for privacy reasons, and who worked on the game from 2023 to 2024. Before this, the individual worked on games such as Epic Mickey: Rebrushed, Call of Duty: Warzone and more.
A description of the project provided on the site confirms that the title is being developed using Unreal Engine 5 and will be "fully remade," hinting at significant changes in this reimagining compared to the original game. Brief descriptions of six gameplay systems that will be reworked are also provided: Stamina, Sneak, Blocking, Archery, Hit Reaction, and HUD.
For the Blocking system, ideas to improve it were taken from Souls-like and "ACT" games (we're not sure which games this refers to, but our guess is the Assassin's Creed Ezio Trilogy), as the original system was considered too "boring" and "frustrating." The Sneak icons are now highlighted in the improved Sneak system, and the damage calculation methods were reworked. The stamina system was modified to be less frustrating for the player, making the knockdown that occurs when stamina is depleted more difficult to activate through changes in calculation methods. The HUD was changed to make it easier to understand and more aesthetically appealing to young players. Hit reactions were also added to improve the response to damage inflicted on the player and NPCs. Finally, Archery was improved to make it more playable and modern in both third and first-person viewpoints.
These pieces of information dispel any doubt that this is merely a port to another graphic engine like Grove Street Games did with the "Definitive Edition" of the old Grand Theft Auto trilogy. Instead, it will be a full-fledged remake that reworks everything seen in the original title. These doubts make sense if we recall an old list of Microsoft vs. FTC documents from 2022, which listed an "Oblivion Remaster" that we assume eventually transformed into the remake.
With the Xbox Developer Direct Event set to take place on January 23, and Microsoft teased in the announcement image that it will feature the participation of an unannounced "brand new game," some might be wondering if this remake is the game being alluded to. Unfortunately, that won't be the case, as some insiders claim it won't be shown at the event. This was collaborated with our own sources, who also said The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion remake won't be at the upcoming Xbox direct show airing January 23. However, if we follow NateTheHate's report stating that the game is planned for release in June this year, we shouldn't have to wait long for an official announcement.
Source: MP1st
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melancholy
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Re: The Elder Scrolls thread
If I had to name one game I felt needed a remaster more than any other game, Oblivion would be it. This is a day 1 purchase for me.
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Dr. Zoidberg
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Re: The Elder Scrolls thread
- Game is going to be more immersive, with fast loading times
- Game takes place in Hammerfell and High Rock
- Game will have naval battles, ship building (inspired by Starfield) and marine/underwater exploration, explorable islands off coast.
- Dragons will return
- Game is set to have 12-13 big cities
- Progression system is much more flexible, abandoning classes for a natural progression and better combat.
- Game to have Fortress and Village building alongside settlement building.
- Game could be shown in July 2025
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Dr. Zoidberg
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Re: The Elder Scrolls thread
Apparently it will be out next week.
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melancholy
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Re: The Elder Scrolls thread
NEXT WEEK? Holy shit I am not prepared for this!
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Dr. Zoidberg
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Dr. Zoidberg
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Re: The Elder Scrolls thread
It's out now.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2623 ... emastered/
And it's on Game Pass.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFJ3PZuAjK4
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2623 ... emastered/
And it's on Game Pass.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFJ3PZuAjK4
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Dr. Zoidberg
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ian
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Re: The Elder Scrolls thread
I'm still waiting for it to be cheap before I try it.
I've had 2 people call the remake a masterpiece. But I'm not falling for that again.
The same people have also always called all of Bethesda's games masterpieces. I swear to god Bethesda is the biggest fucking cult in all of gaming.. and I don't mean cult in a good way like Blizzard fans or various indie games getting inexplicably popular. I mean the bad kind, like Scientology...
It's the unreal engine slapped on their shitty engine... What could possibly go wrong with EITHER of those 2 things? Let alone fucken both!
If BOTH of my 2 IRL friends who called the remake a masterpiece can actually FINISH the game without needing a single mod, I'll play it myself and consider its actual contention for a masterpiece of a game. If either of them says they needed even a single mod, it's hardly even a great game, let alone a masterpiece.
Oblivion is probably the closest thing they've had to a great game from memory, because it didn't need any mods at all to actually make it even remotely playable. Or 50 mods to make it good. All their games need at least one. But Oblivion didn't have anything utterly game breaking at all, and an entirely acceptable amount of Jank considering its developer.
I've had 2 people call the remake a masterpiece. But I'm not falling for that again.
The same people have also always called all of Bethesda's games masterpieces. I swear to god Bethesda is the biggest fucking cult in all of gaming.. and I don't mean cult in a good way like Blizzard fans or various indie games getting inexplicably popular. I mean the bad kind, like Scientology...
It's the unreal engine slapped on their shitty engine... What could possibly go wrong with EITHER of those 2 things? Let alone fucken both!
If BOTH of my 2 IRL friends who called the remake a masterpiece can actually FINISH the game without needing a single mod, I'll play it myself and consider its actual contention for a masterpiece of a game. If either of them says they needed even a single mod, it's hardly even a great game, let alone a masterpiece.
Oblivion is probably the closest thing they've had to a great game from memory, because it didn't need any mods at all to actually make it even remotely playable. Or 50 mods to make it good. All their games need at least one. But Oblivion didn't have anything utterly game breaking at all, and an entirely acceptable amount of Jank considering its developer.
Hugh Man!
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Dr. Zoidberg
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Re: The Elder Scrolls thread
A buggy game by Bethesda? I am shocked!A second round of console testing for the Oblivion Remaster reveals the extent of the game's performance issues. Hitches, sub-60fps drops, crashes and uneven frame-pacing on its 30fps quality mode blight every platform, including PS5 Pro tested today. Also curious is the manner in which continuous play time affects performance on all console platforms.