The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is one of the most enduringly popular games in modern history. When it was originally released on November 11, 2011, it was met with critical acclaim and widespread adoration from fans. Even ten years later, the game has an extremely active player base, partly thanks to its impressive modding community. Bethesda is currently hard at work on its next projects, with Starfield coming in November 2022. In the meantime, it could be worthwhile for Bethesda and fans if the company remastered The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim for the new console generation. Some fans are undoubtedly tired of Skyrim rereleases, but there could be a big upside for it being reworked for next-gen consoles.
The Elder Scrolls 6 is in its design phase at the moment, which could mean it'll be years before it's released. With such a large anticipated wait, it could be in the best interests of Bethesda to reignite some Elder Scrolls series fervor. Skyrim is available on a wide selection of platforms after its ten years of availability, but this doesn't mean it wouldn't gain anything from a fresh remaster treatment. With the power and conveniences afforded by next-gen consoles, a new version of Skyrim could be great for fans, especially those daunted by a long wait for The Elder Scrolls 6.
PS5 and Xbox Series X/S Technical Enhancements
One of the biggest benefits of a new Skyrim remaster would undoubtedly be the possible PS5 and Xbox Series X/S enhancements. Both consoles are equipped with SSDs, meaning that load times could be reduced significantly. In some existing versions of Skyrim, load times can be a tad long, so any trimming to load times would likely be very well received by gamers. Not only this but the new PlayStation and Xbox consoles would be capable of improving the frame rate to at least 60FPS, which would mean a far smoother gameplay experience. The consoles would also offer unique advantages to each platform.
One of the most acclaimed aspects of the PS5 has been the haptic feedback feature on the DualSense controller. This property can generate varying degrees of vibration based on in-game sounds and what the player character is experiencing. This could add a whole new level of immersion to Skyrim. For instance, it's easy to imagine how Dragon Shouts could feel using the advanced rumbling mechanics of the DualSense controller. Similarly, the adaptive triggers could bring a whole new level of feel-based feedback for players. The triggers create resistance depending on the context, which could be an immersive combination with haptic feedback in Skyrim.
Skyrim could take advantage of exclusive Xbox features like Quick Resume and Smart Delivery. Quick Resume allows players to easily jump back and forth between apps and games, which is a useful feature for all the games that support it on Xbox. Smart Delivery allows gamers to play the best-optimized version of a game for the console they're using. If a player boots up Skyrim on Xbox Series X, they'd know it's optimized for that console. Based on Xbox's track record, players might also be able to expect an Xbox Series S/X remaster to be a free upgrade too.
The Long Road to The Elder Scrolls 6
Most fans understand that it's going to be a long time before The Elder Scrolls 6 launches. Todd Howard stated that it's still in its design phase, which might suggest that it'll be years before it's released. Furthermore, Bethesda is currently focusing its developmental efforts on Starfield, the company's long-gestating sci-fi RPG. With Starfield set to launch on November 11, 2022, it's safe to assume that Bethesda is wholly committed to finishing its work on the game for November 2022. This could leave little room for another, presumably large project, like The Elder Scrolls 6. While the team might not have the capacity to delve into Elder Scrolls 6 development right now, there could be space for remastering Skyrim.
A new version of Skyrim on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S would likely be a much smaller scale project than the new Elder Scrolls game. While it would require considerable work to be enhanced for next-gen consoles, it would certainly require fewer resources than a fully-fledged new title. It could be the perfect opportunity for Bethesda to fill the gap between now and when The Elder Scrolls 6 finally releases. A large contingent of fans believes that it's inevitable that Skyrim will get next-gen enhancements, which is hard to argue with. The game has already proved its longevity over the past decade, and it's easy to see how it could extend its lifespan for a few more years.
There's no concrete information about The Elder Scrolls 6 other than that it's set to be Bethesda's next focus after Starfield. A new Skyrim remaster could be the perfect stopgap measure and keep fans invested in the series for the next few years. Some fans will undoubtedly groan at the notion of a new version of Skyrim, but it could be a safe bet from Bethesda to keep franchise interest stoked. The game itself is very highly rated, and with technical enhancements to make it run smoother and look better, it could attract even the most staunch detractors. This could be the next best thing to The Elder Scrolls 6 for years to come.
Skyrim has cultivated an enduring legacy, and while many parody the game for its variety of different editions and ports, it's hard to argue with its long-lasting relevancy. A new version of Skyrim might not be at the top of most wishlists, but it could be a great thing for Bethesda and fans. A better-looking and running version could keep players invested in the series while the developer toils away on The Elder Scrolls 6. It's hard to imagine any new content being added to the game, but with a sleek new look and the countless mods available, Skyrim could continue to be popular for years to come.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is available now on PC, PS3, PS4, Switch, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.