Bethesda Dev Sounds Alarm, Says Elder Scrolls 6 WILL Disappoint...

Summary

The video discusses the current state and future expectations of Bethesda's upcoming title, *The Elder Scrolls VI*, alongside *Starfield*. It highlights concerns over the high number of bugs in Bethesda games, the need for meaningful player choices in RPGs, and comparisons with *Baldur's Gate 3*. Former Bethesda leader Nez Smith expresses hope for improvements, yet admits skepticism about the game's direction. The broader gaming community's expectations are contrasted with the loyalty of hardcore Bethesda fans, emphasizing the need for genuine innovation and quality in future releases to regain player trust.

Takeaways

• 🎮 Many of the most downloaded mods for Starfield on Nexus Mods are fixes for Bethesda's issues, indicating a community perception of persistent bugs and flaws.
• 📉 Starfield's critic scores are concerning, with only 32% of critics recommending the game, drawing comparisons to the negative reception of Fallout 76.
• 😟 There is growing skepticism about Bethesda's ability to learn from past mistakes, leading to fears for future titles like The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5.
• ⚠️ Shattered Space, a recent Bethesda release, was expected to impress but fell flat, contributing to negative sentiment surrounding the studio.
• 🔄 Bethesda appears resistant to adapting their game development approach, despite mounting criticism from players and reviewers.
• 🚀 The ongoing use of Bethesda's Creation Engine, despite its flaws, raises concerns about the potential for innovation in upcoming games.
• 🛠️ Critics note a consistent lack of polish in Bethesda games, with the expectation that The Elder Scrolls 6 will also suffer from similar issues if no changes are made.
• ❌ The trend of designing games to be universally accessible may undermine player choice and meaningful decision-making in RPGs, as seen in Starfield.
• 👀 Expectation management is critical for The Elder Scrolls 6, with Bruce Nesmith indicating that meeting fan expectations will be challenging.
• 🔮 Overall, there is skepticism about the future of Bethesda games, with many anticipating disappointment based on recent titles and the company's track record.

Q & A

What is the primary concern regarding Bethesda's game quality?

The primary concern is that Bethesda games are notoriously buggy, with estimates suggesting around 700 known bugs. This has raised questions about the company's quality assurance practices and their impact on sales.

Why might Bethesda not disclose a list of known bugs to the public?

Disclosing known bugs could harm Bethesda's marketing efforts, as revealing that their games have significant issues could lead to backlash and affect consumer confidence, especially when games are priced at $60-$70.

How does Nez Smith compare 'Starfield' to 'Baldur's Gate 3'?

Nez Smith contrasts 'Starfield' with 'Baldur's Gate 3' by highlighting that the latter allows players to make choices that have meaningful consequences, whereas Bethesda's approach tends to ensure all content is accessible, which may diminish the overall experience.

What are the expectations for 'Elder Scrolls 6' according to Nez Smith?

Expectations for 'Elder Scrolls 6' are high, and Nez Smith expresses concern that if Bethesda does not deliver significant improvements and evolution in gameplay, they may face disappointment from both fans and the broader gaming community.

What development philosophy does Nez Smith criticize regarding Bethesda's games?

Nez Smith criticizes Bethesda's philosophy that players should experience everything in the game, arguing that true RPG design should allow for meaningful choices that can lead to different story outcomes.

What does Nez Smith hope for the future of 'Elder Scrolls 6'?

Nez Smith hopes for improvements and true evolution in 'Elder Scrolls 6,' beyond just minor enhancements seen in past titles like 'Fallout 4' and 'Starfield.'

How does Nez Smith view the current relationship between Bethesda and its gaming audience?

Nez Smith believes there is a disconnect between Bethesda and the broader gaming community, which now sees the company as one that has lost its former greatness and has a lot to prove with upcoming releases.

What does Nez Smith mean by a 'triage system' in game development?

The 'triage system' refers to the necessity of determining what elements of a game to keep, discard, or improve upon, emphasizing that game developers must find a balance in maintaining the essence of the franchise while innovating.

What is Nez Smith's stance on fan expectations versus broader community expectations?

Nez Smith acknowledges that while hardcore Bethesda fans may continue to support the company regardless of quality, the broader gaming community has rejected many of Bethesda's recent offerings, indicating a need for the company to meet higher expectations.

What does Nez Smith suggest is necessary before players can set their expectations for 'Elder Scrolls 6'?

Nez Smith suggests that players won't be able to set clear expectations for 'Elder Scrolls 6' until actual gameplay footage is released, which is anticipated to be a couple of years away.