In the realm of video games, anticipation and hype is both a gift and a curse. On one hand it provokes innovation and sets a high bar for developers to reach, but on the other it can create unrealistic expectations. Some franchises will be subject to waves of anticipation simply because of the name they carry. Grand Theft Auto 6 and Red Dead Redemption 3 are such examples, coming from Rockstar Games - a famed studio with a legacy of excellence.
The hype surrounding both games is similar to another company's work. Fallout and The Elder Scrolls have provided some of the most beloved open-world games of all time, and while the next entries of each are confirmed for the near (and far) future, they will undoubtedly be taking up so much of Bethesda's time over the next decade. Grand Theft Auto 6 may be following in the footsteps of the second-highest grossing video game of all time, but it seemingly won't be on store shelves for a while.
Rockstar's Eclectic Past is in the Rearview
Though it may seem like Rockstar Games is flying higher than ever, it's all a matter of perspective. Today the company is known for its work on Red Dead Redemption and Grand Theft Auto, but this wasn't always the case. There are many forgotten franchises in Rockstar's catalog, each offering something different for fans of all genres. From the linear levels and adult themes of Max Payne to the neon-draped streets of Midnight Club, there are many fantastic series that have been shelved in the pursuit of expanding both the Red Dead Redemption and Grand Theft Auto properties.
This isn't dissimilar to the situation Bethesda is in. While the company is still publishing games from the likes of id Software and Arkane Studios, its own works are rather binary. The confirmation of Fallout 5 after The Elder Scrolls 6 shows that emphasis will be placed on its two most popular franchises. Should Starfield prove to be a hit, it will likely be some time before a sequel is produced - if one is made at all. Bethesda-developed games often take time to make, so while each release is a significant time-sink, it means there's more time for other companies to catch up and even exceed what Bethesda is doing. More ambitious games can be great, but when it comes at the cost of diversity there's cause for hesitation.
Bethesda and Rockstar are Victims of Lengthy Development Times
As the gaming industry has evolved, most AAA studios prioritize the scope of the end product over a short development time. The first three Uncharted games released in the same amount of time it took between Uncharted 4 and The Last of Us 2, and it's clear that the time it takes for most high-budget titles to release is getting longer in all genres and companies. For Rockstar, this change is especially apparent. It's an industry leader in presentation, world-building, and storytelling, so by only committing to two franchises in the future, it means that fans will be waiting a substantial amount of time between sequels.
Skyrim released in 2011, and its sequel is still only in pre-production despite being announced years ago. It'll likely be a few more years before TES6 comes to fruition, and because Bethesda and Rockstar are so beloved, dedicating many years to a single project is a double-edged sword. Red Dead Redemption 3 and Fallout 5 are likely so far into the future that it'll be trying to appeal to a whole new generation of gamers. More time to work on a project is good, but the wait becomes all the more grueling.
Bethesda and Rockstar Into the Next Generation
While the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 are still in high demand thanks to ongoing supply issues, looking so far into the future potentially puts upcoming Bethesda and Rockstar projects in-line for the next generation of home consoles. While Grand Theft Auto 6 and The Elder Scrolls 6 will surely be on current hardware, there are no guarantees that Fallout 5 and Red Dead Redemption 3 will release before new hardware is available. Games that released around the time of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X were hampered by struggles upgrading previous generation versions to the new hardware, and it made an otherwise seamless transition more frustrating.
With Bethesda and Rockstar being so very ambitious in their offerings, it would be a shame to see the likes of Fallout 5 and Red Dead Redemption 3 have to release on both new and old systems. Red Dead Redemption 2 succeeded largely because it didn't have to cater to PS3 and Xbox 360 fans, and could instead fully harness the PS4 and Xbox One's capabilities. Making the newest entries in such high-budget franchises playable on aging hardware could be disastrous if Cyberpunk 2077's release is anything to go by (though other issues were involved for CD Projekt Red).
While both companies aren't averse to surprising audiences on occasion, Rockstar and Bethesda seem to have a rigid and predictable few years ahead with Grand Theft Auto 6 and The Elder Scrolls 6 coming next. Re-releases and remakes of older titles may be on the way to make the long wait more manageable, but both companies' commitment to only a couple of franchises is eerily similar. Time will tell if it's a sustainable course of action, and even more interesting will be which developer comes out on top when Fallout 5 and Red Dead Redemption 3 likely arrive in the distant future.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is currently in development.