With the Skyrim Anniversary Edition now out, The Elder Scrolls 5 will once again remain in the public conscience for some time, especially given that there is no word yet on the next installment in the series. With fans still finding interesting things in Skyrim, it's no wonder the game has been going strong for a decade now. Many may be wondering how Bethesda could top such an entry, and it seems that, when it comes to The Elder Scrolls 6, Todd Howard would like it to last just as long in the public eye as its predecessor.
In a recent interview, Howard spoke about some of the worries he has been having over developing The Elder Scrolls 6, namely whether it will be just as huge among the fan base in terms of longevity. He doesn't necessarily mean in terms of how long the actual game will be, but in how long it will endure, or whether it will have the kind of legacy that Skyrim is currently still in the throes of. He added that the next game will likely need to be a "decade game," meaning that it will almost need to top TES5 which, as of now, is pretty much still as popular today as it was when it was released in 2011.
Skyrim Anniversary Edition is just one of the many ways that the game has been kept in the fore of the industry. Over the years, it has been ported to numerous consoles, survived through a number of console generations, given quality-of-life improvements, had a dedicated modding community who continue to put out new content and tweaks at breakneck speed, and has been involved in real life enactments. The game was even ported over to the Amazon Echo device, in which players could play a voice-activated version of the game.
It's understandable, then, that Howard may be a little concerned about following up from such a long-lasting entry in the franchise. Although Bethesda is currently more focused on Starfield, that doesn't necessarily mean the fan base is forgetting about the next Elder Scrolls game. It is a big ask to top Skyrim, but it's hopefully something the developer is capable of pulling off.
One thing that could damage the reputation of the next game, even before it's released, is the idea that Elder Scrolls 6 is likely to be an Xbox exclusive. It still means the game will almost certainly be on PC as well, but such a move would alienate PlayStation and Nintendo fans. Howard seems keen to make sure the next game is just as long-lasting as Skyrim, but it remains to be seen if making it exclusive to one system will mar such efforts.
The Elder Scrolls 6 is currently in development with Bethesda.
Source: GQ Magazine