Skyrim
News, coverage and analysis tracking Skyrim across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Games Inbox: When will The Elder Scrolls 6: Sentinel be released?
Readers discuss the potential release window for The Elder Scrolls 6, with speculation pointing towards 2028 and a possible Hammerfell setting. Other topics include the design of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, the use of AI in game development, and the potential for future Nintendo handhelds.
Now that The Elder Scrolls 6 is playable, Bethesda's RPG nightmare of its own making is nearly over
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has had a playable playthrough of The Elder Scrolls 6, indicating a significant development milestone for Bethesda's long-awaited RPG. While not close to release, this marks progress after years of minimal information and development challenges, including the launches of Starfield and Fallout 76. The playable demo suggests the game is moving towards completion, which is crucial for Xbox's upcoming console generation.
The Steam Frame needs to be more than a cool device if Valve want to reshape the VR market
The VR market is facing a decline in headset shipments and studio closures, with a shift away from mid-range devices towards high-end or AR/XR alternatives. Despite Meta's continued dominance and some internal successes with its Quest ecosystem, the overall VR gaming landscape struggles with visibility and the high cost of developing tentpole titles. Valve's upcoming Steam Frame faces challenges related to pricing and a lack of compelling exclusive content, suggesting VR may become an integrated feature rather than a standalone market.
The Elder Scrolls 6’s “Scale and Grandeur are Incredible”, Says Xbox CEO
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has shared her positive impressions of an early build of The Elder Scrolls 6, praising its "incredible scale and grandeur" and "even greater" story. The article also touches on recent layoffs at Bethesda and union protests, as well as fan speculation regarding the game's title.
"If I was in charge of Starfield, I would have not done it that way at all" - Former Bethesda veteran would've handled the RPG's 1,000 planets very differently
Former Bethesda Game Studios senior artist Nate Purkeypile believes Starfield's approach to generating 1,000 planets was flawed, suggesting a focus on fewer, more bespoke locations instead. He argues that the current procedural generation leads to repetitive content and diminishes the sense of surprise that defines Bethesda's RPGs. Purkeypile, who worked on titles like Fallout 3 and Skyrim, would have opted for a more curated world design, drawing parallels to Mass Effect 1 and No Man's Sky.
The Sunday Papers
This article discusses various gaming-related topics, including a new Fire Emblem character, the success of Baldur's Gate 3 modding, and the rising cost of chocolate bars like Freddos in relation to graphics card prices. It also touches on baseball history and a streaker incident.
"Ideas like this usually just die": Inside generative AI’s effect on modding, and how host sites struggle to maintain transparency
The article explores the growing impact of generative AI on game modding, particularly for titles like Skyrim, and the challenges faced by platforms like Nexus Mods in maintaining transparency. Modders are increasingly using AI for voice generation, art, and even code, leading to debates about disclosure and ethical use. Nexus Mods has updated its tagging system to better categorize AI-assisted and AI-generated content, but the lines remain blurred, posing difficulties for both creators and users.
Former Bethesda lead artist is looking forward to Fallout 3's remaster because the game they released was '100% not what we intended, and it was very, very constrained'
Former Bethesda lead artist Nate Purkeypile expressed excitement for the rumored Fallout 3 remaster, stating the original release was heavily constrained by technology and not what the team intended. He hopes the remaster will go beyond simple texture updates, citing recent Resident Evil remakes as examples of successful modernizations.
An All-Digital Future Isn’t The Only Threat To Video Game Preservation
Dragon Age creator Mark Darrah explains that remasters of the first three Dragon Age games are unlikely due to a lack of developers familiar with BioWare's proprietary Aurora engine. This contrasts with the Mass Effect Legendary Edition, which benefited from using the more common Unreal Engine. Darrah also reveals his past plans for a "Champion's Edition" trilogy, which were hampered by studio layoffs and internal disagreements at BioWare.
One of Kerbal Space Program's biggest inspirations was a promotional Flash game for Top Gear: 'That was the most similar game to KSP that I could find back then'
Felipe Falanghe, the creator of Kerbal Space Program, discusses his gaming history and inspirations, including Flight Simulator 4 and a promotional Flash game for Top Gear. He shares his current playtime with The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and BattleBit, and his enduring love for Flight Simulator and Fragile Allegiance. Falanghe also touches on his journey into game development and the initial unambitious scope of Kerbal Space Program.
GG App Review: The Only Game Tracker With a Mobile App. Is It Worth It?
The GG app offers a convenient mobile solution for tracking games played, featuring distinct status options like 'Shelved' and 'Abandoned' that cater to adult players. However, its aggressive $4.99 monthly subscription for features like list cloning and lack of automated game ownership imports make it difficult to justify compared to free alternatives like Backloggd.
Collectively, we chose a digital future for games – so why doesn’t it feel like our choice at all?
The author laments the decline of physical game sales and the closure of game stores, arguing that the shift to digital distribution, while convenient, has eroded player choice and the sense of occasion. This transition feels less like a conscious decision and more like a forced surrender to industry trends, impacting the ability to trade, resell, or even access games during outages.
After 12 years and heavy layoffs, new Elder Scrolls Online lead says the MMO is "here to stay" with extra help from Bethesda proper and "all-new experiences in Skyrim" on the way
Despite significant layoffs at Zenimax Online, the new lead for The Elder Scrolls Online, Nick Giacomini, assures players the MMORPG is committed to a long-term future with increased collaboration with Bethesda Game Studios. This new direction prioritizes quality over strict deadlines, leading to delays for upcoming content like the Crimson Veldt trial and Update 52, now slated for January 2027, alongside new experiences in Skyrim.
MMO life sim Seed's AI-powered avatars prove once again that nothing shatters immersion quicker than crappy chatbot…
The article discusses the implementation of AI-powered NPCs in games, using the MMO life sim Seed as a primary example. While the concept of more dynamic character interactions is appealing, the current AI in Seed and other games often results in nonsensical or repetitive dialogue, failing to enhance immersion. The author notes that while AI can be helpful for tutorials, its conversational abilities in games still fall short of compelling or natural interactions.
SGJ Podcast #517 – Games That Don’t Respect Your Time (And That’s Okay)
This episode of the SGJ Podcast features a discussion on video games that may not respect players' time, such as those requiring extensive grinding for gear or endings, but are still enjoyable. The hosts shared their picks for such games, and the next episode will cover remakes and remasters.
Bethesda Montreal’s Laid Off Employees Told They Will Get Bare Minimum Severance, No Healthcare
Employees laid off from Bethesda's Montreal studio have reportedly been offered the minimum legal severance and lost healthcare benefits, according to the union OneBGS. This contradicts earlier statements about negotiating with the union. Bethesda and Xbox leadership are facing legal complaints for alleged labor law violations in Canada. Despite these issues, the company reaffirmed its focus on The Elder Scrolls 6 and upcoming Fallout projects.
Todd Howard considered retirement before being inspired by Bethesda devs working on RPGs like Fallout 5 and Elder…
Bethesda Game Studios director Todd Howard has stated he is no longer considering retirement, inspired by the continued work of his colleagues. Howard, who has been with Bethesda since 1994 and directed major titles like The Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind, Fallout 3, Skyrim, and Starfield, expressed his love for his job and the people he works with. He anticipates continuing his work on upcoming titles such as The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5.
Bethesda’s Layoffs Were “Really Tough”, Lets It “Focus Best” On its Franchises, Says Todd Howard
Bethesda's Todd Howard described the company's recent layoffs as a difficult experience, stating that the studio will now focus on its core franchises like The Elder Scrolls and Fallout. He also expressed excitement about working with Obsidian Entertainment again on new Fallout projects, including remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, while confirming Fallout 5 remains a long-term goal. The article also touches on industry-wide layoffs affecting Xbox and its studios.
A NOTE FROM BETHESDA GAME STUDIOS
Bethesda Game Studios outlined its future plans, confirming ongoing development for Starfield, Fallout 5, and The Elder Scrolls VI using Creation Engine 3. The studio also announced remasters for Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, a new Fallout 76 expansion titled Raven Rock, and a new Fallout project with Obsidian Entertainment. Additionally, they highlighted the success of their Creations platform and the upcoming Fallout Shelter television series.
As unionised Microsoft workers rally against Bethesda layoffs, Fallout 4's been filled with protest signs and OneBGS logoed vault suits by modders
Unionized Microsoft workers are protesting recent mass layoffs affecting over 400 employees at Bethesda Game Studios, ZeniMax, and id Software. In solidarity, modders have added union logos and protest signs to games like Fallout 4 and Skyrim. Union representatives criticize the layoffs, stating they will negatively impact game quality and player experience.
