Bethesda Admits Defeat!

Summary

The video discusses Bethesda's current struggles, focusing on the pressure they feel to meet fans' high expectations for The Elder Scrolls 6. Citing Bruce Nesmith's comments on how it's nearly impossible to satisfy fans, the creator suggests that Bethesda's success with games like Skyrim has set an unattainable standard. The video argues that the studio's move away from its classic formula, as seen in Fallout 76 and Starfield, is the real issue. The creator proposes that Bethesda return to its roots of handcrafted open-world RPGs and reconnect with their fan base for future success.

Takeaways

• 🎮 Bethesda is facing pressure to meet fan expectations with The Elder Scrolls 6, after the mixed reception of Starfield.
• 🤔 Bruce Nesmith, lead designer, acknowledges that it's nearly impossible to satisfy all fans, comparing Bethesda's situation to Valve's challenges.
• 💡 Bethesda had a strong track record with their Elder Scrolls and Fallout games, but recent changes in their game design have not resonated well with fans.
• 📉 Starfield and Fallout 76 shifted away from Bethesda's classic 'handcrafted open world' formula, leading to fan dissatisfaction, especially with procedurally generated content.
• 👥 Nesmith seems to be lowering expectations for The Elder Scrolls 6 by hinting that it may not meet the high standards set by Skyrim and previous games.
• 🚨 Bethesda's reputation has taken a hit, partly because of changing their core formula, which previously ensured fan loyalty and high reviews.
• 🛠 Fans are calling for a return to Bethesda's classic handcrafted, open-world RPG formula, as seen in fan mods like Fallout London and Skyblivion.
• 😕 There’s concern that Bethesda has lost the joy in creating games, with a shift toward corporate pressures and deadlines overshadowing the creative process.
• 🎯 The solution suggested is for Bethesda to listen to fan feedback more closely, work with fan modders, and focus on making games they love, rather than simply meeting expectations.
• 🔄 Ultimately, fans want Bethesda to return to the formula that made their games great, rather than pushing new models that don't resonate with the core fanbase.

Q & A

What does the article claim Bethesda is expecting with the release of The Elder Scrolls 6?

The article suggests that Bethesda expects dissatisfied players with the release of The Elder Scrolls 6, partly due to high expectations that the company believes are impossible to meet.

Why does Bruce Nesmith believe Bethesda is in a 'trap' similar to Valve's?

Nesmith mentions that Bethesda, like Valve, has had a 20-year successful run with The Elder Scrolls and Fallout, making it difficult to continue meeting fan expectations while preserving the legacy of past successes.

How does the comparison to Metacritic ratings impact the discussion about fan expectations?

Nesmith references that anything below a 95 on Metacritic could be seen as a failure, creating a high standard. The script notes this is strange, as many top Bethesda games, except Skyrim, scored below 95 but were still well-received.

What does the speaker suggest is causing Bethesda's anxiety over future releases?

The speaker believes Bethesda’s anxiety stems from the negative reaction to Starfield. They expected glowing appraisals but were shaken by the backlash, which may have led them to believe they have already peaked.

What pattern does the speaker identify in Bethesda's past game releases?

The speaker notes that each of Bethesda's past games improved on the previous ones in terms of graphics, visuals, and handcrafted content. The company stuck to a consistent formula of open-world RPGs with unique, handcrafted dungeons and quests.

How does the speaker contrast the reception of Fallout 76 with Bethesda's earlier titles?

Fallout 76 marked a shift from Bethesda's usual formula. It was an online game with procedurally generated content, which the speaker argues deviated from the handcrafted experiences fans loved in previous games like Skyrim and Fallout 3. This change led to poor reception compared to earlier titles.

Why does the speaker believe Starfield failed to meet expectations?

The speaker argues that Starfield failed because it broke Bethesda’s traditional formula of handcrafted content. Instead, Starfield relied on procedurally generated dungeons and lacked the unique, handcrafted experiences that Bethesda fans expected.

What does the speaker propose as a solution for Bethesda to regain its reputation?

The speaker suggests that Bethesda should return to their traditional formula of handcrafted open worlds and content. They recommend that Bethesda listen to fan feedback, perhaps even collaborating with modders who have maintained the company’s formula in fan-made mods like Fallout London and Skyblivion.

How does the speaker feel about Bethesda’s interaction with fans and feedback after Starfield's release?

The speaker criticizes Bethesda for arguing with fans who provided constructive criticism after Starfield’s release. Instead of dismissing feedback, the speaker believes Bethesda should take fan suggestions seriously to improve future games like The Elder Scrolls 6.

What emotional tone does the speaker detect in recent interviews with Bethesda developers?

The speaker senses that developers like Bruce Nesmith seem unhappy or burdened by the pressure of meeting expectations. The speaker argues that Bethesda has lost the joy and passion for game development that they had in the past, which is contributing to their current struggles.