Summary
Bethesda has seen a shift in its reputation over recent years, as it once ruled the role-playing roost but seems to have fallen from grace. It has been hit with a couple of questions about its repetitive game design,like inStarfield, which has stunted its impact in the AAA space today, even withThe Elder Scrolls 6looming on the horizon.
However, if there’s any studio with the ability to turn the tides and bring something great, it’s Bethesda, as it has two of gaming’s biggest properties under its belt, and each has endless potential to shape the RPG space. Little is known aboutThe Elder Scrolls 6since its reveal over half a decade ago, and now thatStarfieldhas hit shelves, the way the developer handles marketing for the successor toSkyrimposes a challenge, as it could either stay silent for a while longer, or use the next few years to build the game’s image early.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Was Inevitable
Bethesda’s history with the RPG genre is storied, and some argue that the company truly peaked withThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. It was a medium-defining experience that millions of players around the world have enjoyed for years on end thanks to plenty of remasters and rereleases. Bethesda returned toFalloutin 2015, serving as a reminder that it is not just a one-property studio, and whileFallout 4was a success, it didn’t reach the heights ofSkyrim.
There was little doubt thatThe Elder Scrolls 6would releaseone day; it was more a question of when. The franchise will have to compete with other RPG juggernauts likeThe Witcherand upcoming projects from Obsidian and Larian Studios, as the genre is becoming more packed with worthwhile offerings. The way Bethesda handles the next few years in terms of promotion forThe Elder Scrolls 6will be instrumental in its ability to generate hype and anticipation, as the release ofStarfieldmeansTES6is projected to be Bethesda’s next full release.
The Elder Scrolls 6’s Announcement Seemed Like a Distraction from the Big Problem
The Elder Scrolls 6’s announcement preceded the release ofFallout 76, which received heavy criticismfor its poor performance at launch. It almost felt as though it was a desperate effort to stay in the good graces of gamers, promising something very anticipated to counter the underwhelming release ofFallout 76. Six years is a long time to say nothing, and the time between its reveal and its release demands a substantial decision as to how it will be handled moving forward.
The way the developer handles marketing for the successor toSkyrimposes a challenge, as it could either stay silent for a while longer, or use the next few years to build the legacy early.
Bethesda’s Early TES6 Announcenent is a Blessing and a Curse
The Elder Scrolls 6was announced with an all-too-brief trailer at E3 2018. It served only to confirm thatBethesda intends to releaseTES6at some point, but nothing more. Now, it can either go all out with marketing as soon as possible to drum up interest early, or keep a tight-lipped approach like it has until now. The reveal almost six years ago has ensured it has an uncommon promotional cycle, and Bethesda has to now adapt in the way it handles marketing moving forward, finding the best way to keep fans excited, but not to the point whereThe Elder Scrolls 6feels like a collection of false promises.
Fallout 4’s Announcement was Short, and So Sweet
Fallout 4’s announcementwas so memorable because it ended with the news that it would release later that year. Its existence was rumored, but the official reveal was not held back by this at all, with it being all people could talk about following an otherwise busy E3 2015.Fallout 4showed that silence prior to launch can truly be golden, and that seven years of wait between the third and fourth games could be forgotten when the promise of a new open-world RPG in just a few short months presents itself.
The fork in the road forTES6is obvious; the coming months, and years, are critical to how it will be remembered. To share news now would be instantly gratifying for fans and could give the developer the opportunity to control its own narrative, butFallout 4showed that there are benefits to being tight-lipped.
