The Elder Scrolls 6 was officially announced back in 2018, following an impressive run of the last mainline release, Skyrim, which debuted in 2011. Originally touted as an Xbox exclusive, the urgency and prevalence of console exclusivity appears to be fading. However, notable franchises still venture into this realm. With the extended development period for The Elder Scrolls 6, it now faces the possibility of being overshadowed by The Outer Worlds 2, which is anticipated for release in 2025.
Despite being an expansion of a much smaller franchise, The Outer Worlds managed to strike a chord with players, launching in 2019—eight years after Skyrim. In a surprising twist, its sequel is poised for release well before the next installment of The Elder Scrolls. This trend underscores the evolving landscape of AAA gaming, where development cycles have extended significantly. Notably, Obsidian is set to unveil both Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2 in 2025. Although smaller in scope than Bethesda’s offerings, these titles are filling the creative void left by extended delays in major titles.
The Extended Anticipation for The Elder Scrolls 6
The two franchises contrast significantly; while The Outer Worlds presents a more concise gaming experience, the anticipation surrounding The Elder Scrolls 6 has shed light on its lengthy development timeline. The flourishing trajectory of The Outer Worlds 2, particularly after its well-received trailer during the 2024 Game Awards, highlights the shifting dynamics in the RPG genre. Obsidian seems ready to deliver a compelling gaming experience that could entice fans of the genre.
Development timelines for AAA titles have increased, with some games taking upwards of a decade to see the light of day. This delay can stem from a variety of factors, including project resets—much like the issues faced by BioWare with Dragon Age: The Veilguard—or having lengthy pre-development phases, potentially applicable to The Elder Scrolls 6. Often, internal teams rotate between projects, leading to extended waits that can be particularly taxing when fans are invested in narrative-driven RPGs.
Obsidian’s Emergence in the Evolving RPG Landscape
As Bethesda shifted its focus primarily towards new releases such as Starfield and Fallout 4, the development of The Elder Scrolls 6 faced indefinite delays. Now that these projects are complete, Bethesda is likely channeling its full resources into the next installment of Elder Scrolls. However, a concrete release timeline is still far from certain, as extensive development time is expected for such an ambitious title.
Meanwhile, Obsidian’s dual releases of Avowed and The Outer Worlds 2 position the studio as a formidable player in the RPG landscape. Despite being potentially smaller in scale compared to titles from Bethesda, Obsidian has built a reputation for its engaging storytelling, well-developed characters, and enjoyable gameplay experiences. As Bethesda navigates its lengthy development schedule, Obsidian steps in to showcase that compelling RPG narratives do not always require the monumental scale typically associated with AAA games.
Leave a Reply