Role-Playing Game
Ongoing coverage on Role-Playing Game.
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Morrowind helped Bethesda to "stay in business" but Skyrim was the "holy sh*t" moment, says former boss
Former Bethesda publishing head Pete Hines stated that The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind was crucial for the company's survival, while The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim represented a major breakthrough that allowed for creative freedom. Skyrim's massive success introduced role-playing games to a wider audience and solidified Bethesda's position in the industry.
Bethesda's ex-marketing VP says Skyrim was its first game to make other studios scared of it: 'You have to be concerned about us if you think you're going to win game of the year'
Former Bethesda marketing VP Pete Hines stated that The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim was the first game from the studio that made other developers concerned about winning Game of the Year awards. While Morrowind allowed Bethesda to stay in business and Oblivion proved they could compete, Skyrim was the title that established them as a major industry force, attracting a broader audience beyond traditional RPG fans.
See the World and Rule It With New Major Expansion to Crusader Kings III on Console
Paradox Interactive and Room 8 Group announced the upcoming "Roads to Power" expansion for Crusader Kings III on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, set to release on May 11, 2026. This expansion introduces new government types, including an Administrative Government and the Family Estate, alongside a "Life of Adventure" system for landless characters. It will be accompanied by the "Wandering Nobles" event pack, adding new travel-themed events and lifestyles.
As GTA 6 reportedly spooks Xbox into delaying Fable, Playground Games reiterates its RPG remains on track for Autumn…
A new rumor suggests that the Fable reboot may be delayed from its Autumn 2026 release window due to concerns about launching near Grand Theft Auto 6. Developer Playground Games, however, has reiterated that Fable remains on track for its planned release. Xbox Game Studios is reportedly considering the impact of Grand Theft Auto 6 on other major releases.
How BioWare can make an unlikely comeback, and why it never will: The first step is cancelling Mass Effect
This opinion piece argues that BioWare, despite its past successes, is unlikely to make a significant comeback due to publisher Electronic Arts' pressure for immediate financial returns and an overreliance on established franchises like Mass Effect and Dragon Age. The author suggests the studio needs to find a new identity and embrace experimentation, but believes EA's risk-averse nature will prevent this.
Esoteric Ebb review - camp and cutting political comedy in a D&D Disco Elysium wrapper
Esoteric Ebb is a comedic role-playing game that blends Dungeons & Dragons mechanics with political satire and narrative-driven gameplay. Players investigate a crime in the city of Tolstad leading up to its first election, embodying a Cleric who navigates bureaucracy and personal failure. While praised for its writing, tone, and agency simulation, the game occasionally suffers from uneven pacing and a controversial depiction of Japanese culture.
Bethesda was so indie when the Elder Scrolls launched that the devs packaged and shipped the RPG themselves: "We were in the loading dock and we learned how to assemble boxes, inserts and use the heat gun"
Bethesda Softworks, now a major studio, began as a small team that personally packaged and shipped its first game, The Elder Scrolls: Arena. Initially fearing failure with only 3,000 units expected, the game became a cult hit, eventually selling around 120,000 copies. This early experience highlights the studio's humble beginnings before its later success with titles like Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim under Todd Howard's leadership.
Starfield PS5 Review: Free Lanes Update Makes it Bethesdas Best RPG in Years - Vice
Starfield on PlayStation 5 has received a significant upgrade with the Free Lanes Update and Terran Armada DLC. This overhaul positions Starfield as Bethesda Softworks' strongest RPG since Fallout 3, enhancing the overall player experience.
Starfield PS5 Review: Free Lanes Update Makes it Bethesda’s Best RPG in Years - Vice
Starfield is now available on PlayStation 5, with a "Enhanced" graphics mode showcased on the PS5 Pro. The article highlights gameplay from New Atlantis and orbital dogfights, testing the console's performance in the vast Settled Systems.
OneState Launches Globally on iOS and Android With Version 1.0 Update
OneState has launched globally on iOS and Android with its Version 1.0 update, introducing a rebuilt open-world map, expanded role-playing systems, new animations, and parkour mechanics. The mobile social roleplay game, set in a Los Angeles-inspired environment, emphasizes player-driven activity with servers supporting up to 700 players. The game has already achieved over 40 million downloads worldwide.
"Oh, we're going there" – Baldur's Gate 3 Halsin actor "burst out laughing" when he got the script for the RPG's most infamous scene
Dave Jones, the actor who voices Halsin in Baldur's Gate 3, shared his reaction to reading the script for the game's infamous bear sex scene, stating he "burst out laughing" upon realizing the extent of the content. The scene remains a memorable and discussed moment in the critically acclaimed RPG, which was developed by Larian Studios.
Pillars of Eternity's turn-based mode is finally out in full
Pillars of Eternity has officially released its full turn-based mode. The article also touches on the decline of classic PC RPGs like Baldur's Gate, with the author suggesting that physical retailers' reluctance to stock them contributed to their disappearance from the market.
Starfield on PS5 Pro: Enhanced Graphics Mode Gameplay
Bethesda's space RPG Starfield is now playable on PlayStation 5, with new footage showcasing its "Enhanced" graphics mode on the PlayStation 5 Pro. The gameplay highlights the console's performance across various environments, from dense city streets to space combat scenarios.
Crimson Desert mod lets you ditch Kliff for your own character for maximum RPG vibes
A new mod for Crimson Desert allows players to create their own custom characters, moving beyond the pre-set characters like Kliff. This mod introduces extensive customization options and is planned to include more features like additional races and animations. The article also briefly mentions Black Desert Online as an alternative.
Gothic 1 Remake Pre-Orders Go Live Ahead of June 2026 Release | Invision Game Community
Pre-orders for the Gothic 1 Remake are now live on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with a release date set for June 5, 2026. The remake features a reimagined soundtrack by Kai Rosenkranz and includes the original Gothic Classic as a bonus for console pre-orders.
Starfield Trophy Guide and Roadmap
Starfield offers standard RPG gameplay with acceptable performance for a Bethesda title, but ultimately fails to engage players with its mundane experiences and lack of compelling challenges. The game provides residual information about its world rather than rewarding players for overcoming obstacles, unlike titles such as Dark Souls.
Starfield PS5 Review: Great Performance, But Still Hollow Planets | DualShockers
This review of Starfield on PlayStation 5 highlights improved performance and combat systems, making the experience more worthwhile. However, the game still suffers from a lack of meaningful exploration, leaving planets feeling hollow and the gameplay akin to ticking off objectives.
As the Artemis II crew return to Earth, Starfield on PS5 is a great way to keep your space exploration fantasies alive
This article discusses Starfield's availability on PlayStation 5, drawing parallels between the game's space exploration themes and NASA's Artemis II mission. It highlights Bethesda Game Studios' commitment to supporting Starfield with ongoing content and updates, while acknowledging the game's divisive nature and vast scale.
11 years later, Obsidian's Pillars of Eternity gets a turn-based combat mode to make it a little bit more like Baldur's Gate 3
Obsidian Entertainment has released a turn-based combat mode for its 2014 RPG, Pillars of Eternity, on PC, over 11 years after its initial launch. This update, which was in testing for months, allows players to select the mode when starting the game or switch to it later, with character speed influencing turn order. The patch also includes various fixes, Korean localization, and follows a similar update for Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire in 2019.
Star Wars Zero Company writer wants its cast to have real friction: 'It's not a personal fantasy game'
Narrative director Aaron Contreras stated that Star Wars Zero Company is a team-based tactical strategy game, not a personal fantasy experience. He emphasized that the game will focus on managing diverse personalities and their interpersonal conflicts within the Clone Wars era, moving away from the clear good vs. evil narratives of later periods.
