ESO Kept Elder Scrolls Fans Busy, Says Skyrim Designer
Skyrim co-lead Kurt Kuhlmann says The Elder Scrolls Online filled the gap for fans, explaining why Skyrim never got a New Vegas-style spin-off.
Kurt Kuhlmann, a co-lead designer on The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim and a 20-year Bethesda veteran, has offered an explanation for why Skyrim never received a Fallout: New Vegas-style spin-off. In comments reported by Eurogamer, Kuhlmann pointed to The Elder Scrolls Online as a key factor.
According to Kuhlmann, The Elder Scrolls Online kept Elder Scrolls fans occupied while Bethesda focused on other projects. That ongoing service game, developed by ZeniMax Online Studios, meant there was less pressure to hand the series to an external studio for a standalone spin-off.
Kuhlmann also addressed the perceived rivalry between Bethesda and Obsidian Entertainment, which stemmed from the popularity and acclaim of Fallout: New Vegas. He said Todd Howard is very protective of The Elder Scrolls series, further reducing the likelihood of a similar outside collaboration.
Meanwhile, The Elder Scrolls 6 remains in development with no public release target. Severe cuts at ZeniMax Online have changed the scope of future additions to The Elder Scrolls Online.
Quick answers
Why didn't Skyrim get a New Vegas-style spin-off?
Kurt Kuhlmann said The Elder Scrolls Online kept fans occupied while Bethesda focused on other projects, and Todd Howard is very protective of the series.
What did Kuhlmann say about Obsidian and Bethesda?
He said the popularity and acclaim of Fallout: New Vegas created a perceived rivalry between the two studios.
Is The Elder Scrolls 6 still in development?
Yes, it remains in development and has no public release target.