After a long wait and years of speculation, Rockstar has announced it is working on the next entry in the Grand Theft Auto series. Though no details surrounding the game have been released, this has not stopped fans from trying to figure out where the game will be set, who the protagonists will be, and what new features Grand Theft Auto 6 will bring to the series. After the astronomic success of GTA 5, it is understandable why GTA 6 is so highly anticipated.
Although it may not be initially obvious, there are a few parallels that Grand Theft Auto 6 shares with Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls 6. Gamers have been waiting on both titles for a very long time, so much so that it seems impossible for the games to live up to the expectations that have been built up.
Fans Are Eagerly Awaiting GTA 6 and Elder Scrolls 6
Grand Theft Auto 5 was originally released in September 2013 on the PS3 and Xbox 360. At the time, the game was a technical marvel offering a detailed world to explore, as well as the novel ability to switch between three unique protagonists: Michael, Franklin, and Trevor. Because the game was released just months before the PS4 and Xbox One, it is understandable that the game received next-gen re-releases.
For many, GTA 5's remaster is impressive, as it includes a first-person mode that makes the game more immersive. However, as time has progressed, people have begun to crave the next entry in the GTA series. Consequently, when Rockstar announced that GTA 5 would be receiving another release for the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, it was met with a barrage of dislikes. There is no denying that GTA 5 has had an unusually long lifespan, especially considering the gap between previous entries. Before Grand Theft Auto 6, the longest wait took place between GTA 4 and GTA 5 - about five years and four months passed. GTA 6 is well on its way to doubling that.
The Elder Scrolls 6 finds itself in a similar position to GTA 6. The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim was originally released in November 2011 on PC, PS3, and Xbox 360. The game is praised for the freedom its open world offers, its addictive loop, and the expressive combat. Since 2011, it has been re-released on numerous platforms including VR and current-gen consoles. Though the game has continued to be successful, largely thanks to its replayability, gamers have been ready for a new Elder Scrolls game for years.
In many ways, the long wait puts Rockstar and Bethesda in a good position, as it means they have a huge customer base ready to purchase their upcoming games as soon as they hit store shelves. However, the studios also have to contend with expectations that have had years to grow. It will take nothing but masterpieces to ensure gamers feel like the wait was worth it.
GTA 6 and The Elder Scrolls 6 Have to Succeed
Rockstar is a studio with a big reputation to uphold. It made waves in the gaming industry with GTA 3, which popularized the open-world genre and pushed boundaries thanks to its controversial content. Since then, the studio has come to be known for delivering intricately designed games with plenty of content. Although Rockstar is best known for the GTA series, other franchises from Rockstar including Red Dead, Midnight Club, and Max Payne have also earned themselves loyal fanbases.
In recent years, Rockstar's reputation has taken a blow thanks to the release of the Grand Theft Auto trilogy remaster, which many felt was subpar. Although several patches have been released to address performance and technical issues, the damage has been done. To reclaim its position as one of the best studios in gaming, Rockstar will have to ensure GTA 6 is nothing short of perfect.
Bethesda also finds itself managing a near-legendary reputation. The Elder Scrolls 5 is regarded as one of the greatest games of all time, while the Fallout franchise features many iconic FPS games. Led by Todd Howard, Bethesda has successfully imprinted itself into the gaming world and, as a result, its releases are met with great scrutiny.
The gaming world received a shake-up when Microsoft acquired Bethesda for $7.5 billion. This was part of Microsoft's continued push to expand its gaming sector and increase the number of first-party studios it owns. While some are pleased with the acquisition, believing Microsoft's deep pockets will help Bethesda produce better games, others are worried that the acquisition will only result in Bethesda's creativity being stifled.
With The Elder Scrolls 6, Bethesda has an opportunity to prove doubters wrong and demonstrate that the acquisition serves to benefit both developers and fans. This can be done by avoiding the pitfalls many are expecting, such as the inclusion of intrusive microtransactions, and ensuring that the game improves on everything that made its predecessors great. However, should Bethesda fail to meet expectations, it could result in gamers losing faith in the studio and blaming it on the acquisition.
Grand Theft Auto and The Elder Scrolls are cornerstones of gaming, and new releases in either franchise are always a celebration. The next entries in both franchises are highly anticipated, as seen by the number of rumors surrounding GTA 6 and The Elder Scrolls 6. With GTA 6, Rockstar finds itself in a similar position to Bethesda, as both studios will have to produce impeccable games if they wish to please their fanbases after waiting for years.
The next entry in the Grand Theft Auto series is currently in development.