Elder Scrolls fans no doubt feel all too well that it’s been 14 years since Skyrim first released. Though the game has seen remasters and re-releases galore since then, Bethesda hasn’t put out a fresh Elder Scrolls since. The wait for Elder Scrolls 6 has been a long one, even with Oblivion Remastered and The Elder Scrolls Online to soften the blow. But with so much time between Skyrim and the next brand-new entry, a lot about gaming has changed. Does that mean The Elder Scrolls 6 will change, too?
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At this point, The Elder Scrolls is best known because of Skyrim. The open-world RPG brought many new fans into the fray over the years. But when it came out, Skyrim wasn’t exactly a typical Elder Scrolls game itself. Though it uses the same lore, the most recent entry streamlines the more complicated RPG mechanics from prior entries. Even going back for Oblivion Remastered, you can feel the difference. So clearly, Bethesda isn’t against changing things up even within the same series. But what could that mean for The Elder Scrolls 6? There are a few common trends that could really change the game’s format if Bethesda chooses to lean into them. But there are a few modern trends that just won’t work in an Elder Scrolls game, and I hope Bethesda steers clear of them.
3) Crossover/Collab Events
From Fortnite skins galore to the recent SpongeBob SquarePants kits for The Sims 4, crossovers and collabs are incredibly common. Many games bring in popular franchises from TV, movies, and other gaming IP. These are often a way to monetize free-to-play titles by selling pricey cosmetics, but not always. Sometimes, these events are simply a way to advertise both properties and keep players invested.
Though not entirely unheard of, the practice of in-game collab content was a lot less common back in the Skyrim days. Players have mixed feelings about this kind of content, which can be a bit world-breaking in games like Call of Duty. I have to imagine that skins of the likes of Peter Griffin or the KPop Demon Hunters would have no place in the Tamriel of The Elder Scrolls 6. There are no doubt some IP crossovers that might make sense, but I think most fans of the franchise agree we’d prefer our experience not be disrupted by lore-breaking collabs and crossovers, even if they are popular in modern gaming.
2) Live Service Updates
When Skyrim first released, it was in an era when physical games were still more common than digital. In the years since, gaming has gone increasingly digital, and with it, the “one and done” model of video games has faded. Many titles release with plans for regular influxes of new content, whether that’s fixing a game that ships broken or just consistently adding new live events. This model certainly works to extend the longevity of some games, but it’s hard to imagine it working for Elder Scrolls.
My hesitation here is twofold. First, I just want a solid, immersive experience like what Skyrim delivered. A few content DLC here or there wouldn’t go amiss, but regular seasonal updates? Leave that to The Elder Scrolls Online. Given Bethesda’s history for putting out patches, such as how long its taken to even begin fixing issues with Oblivion Remastered, I just don’t think the studio is up to the task of regular live service content updates. Give us Elder Scrolls 6 as a complete game with a vast world of adventure to explore, not as the backbone for ongoing seasonal content updates, please and thank you.
1) Forced Multiplayer Components (i.e. Raids, Dungeons)
If there’s one thing fans really don’t want in Elder Scrolls 6, it’s multiplayer. These days, free and paid fantasy RPGs alike seem intent on adding multiplayer content, which is often less than optional. Games from Pokemon Legends: Z-A lock content behind PvP content, like the Mega Stones you can only earn through Ranked Battles. Others opt for Raids and Dungeons that require a multiplayer approach to complete. With how popular these models are in modern gaming, many fear that The Elder Scrolls 6 could bring in some kind of multiplayer component. But that isn’t what most of us come to The Elder Scrolls for.
Skyrim is a massive open-world RPG with a fully single-player focus. And these days, the proliferation of MMORPGs and games with multiplayer elements makes that less common than it once was. There’s a place for co-op RPGs that let you hang out with friends, but The Elder Scrolls 6 shouldn’t be one of them. Let us be immersed in the game as a solo experience like the Elder Scrolls that came before it, and save the Guilds and multiplayer Dungeons for MMORPGs like The Elder Scrolls Online.
What modern gaming trend do you hope Bethesda avoids in The Elder Scrolls 6? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
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