Every couple of years, gamers start to get really excited about what the next big game from Bethesda Softworks will be. Oh hell, who are we kidding? Gamers start getting excited for the next Bethesda game the day after the company releases a new title. This excitement stems from their two biggest franchises, The Elder Scrolls and Fallout. The two franchises are very different—one being set in a fantasy world, the other in a desolate post-apocalyptic wasteland—while remaining similar in terms of offering massive and immersive RPG experiences.
Their last big title was of course The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim back in 2011 (has it been that long already?!), and rumors have already been circling about what their next game might be. We still know nothing officially, but, judging by a recent comment by Bethesda VP Pete Hines, we might soon find out what it is we’re already twitching with excitement for.
Speaking to Official Xbox Magazine on the OXM podcast, Hines said this:
“I think you’ll hear us making considerably more noise this year than we did last year, as a publisher. Obviously the Elder Scrolls Online is out and we’ve got the Dishonored DLC, but we will be announcing new stuff and making some noise, and I think when we get the chance to show you guys what we’re up to, that you’ll sit up and take notice.I think we’re continuing to do the stuff that we get excited about, and people will get really excited about when they hear what we’re up to, which is continuing to push the boundaries, reinvent – find really smart, passionate teams who know what they’re doing and have an idea that they really want to do and do well.”
So what could it be?
Considering Skyrim came out in ’11 and The Elder Scrolls Online is arriving this year (and looking very promising…even to I, a non-MMOer), it’s pretty unlikely another new installment in the franchise is already on the way. Though The Elder Scrolls VI or even a new title along the same lines as Obsidian’s Fallout: New Vegas would be pretty amazing.
The most likely candidate is naturally Fallout 4. It’s a game that’s been whispered about for a handful of years now—even getting into details, such as the expected Commonwealth setting—and a voice actor from Fallout 3 has hinted at something brewing soon.
It was remarkable to see what Bethesda learned from the time that Oblivion came out in the early days of the current generation to the time that Skyrim arrived. Both are games that will change your life and both should be played immediately, but the level of quality is on an entirely different planet for the latter. It’s time for us to see what they can do with post-apocalyptic wastelands now in comparison to Fallout 3 and New Vegas. Though, this argument may be void depending upon whether this next game ever even touches the current gen consoles. It was just revealed that the team that’s been working hard on Skyrim DLC and related stuff has now ceased that work and joined the rest of the Bethesda team for full focus on the next big game, but the finished product could still be a year or two off.
Other possible announcements could involve Doom 4, a Dishonored sequel, and Prey 2. And let’s not forget that rumored Fallout TV series.
There’s also always that chance that the company is ready to unveil a brand new game. You just never know!
[Source: via Game Informer]
Take note, Pete said this would be a big year for them as a PUBLISHER. True, they did state that they (Bethesda’s actual development studio) is working on their next title, but we may not know for a while what that is. However, it is still exciting to see them heavily involved as a publisher. Lots of good games announced already. :)
Comment by Union Jack — May 7, 2013 @ 5:41 pm