The future of The Elder Scrolls 6 under Microsoft

In recent news, Pete Hines, a former senior executive at Bethesda, has voiced concerns about the future of The Elder Scrolls 6 following Microsoft’s acquisition. Hines, who worked at Bethesda for 24 years, announced his retirement in 2023, shortly after Starfield was released. In an interview, he says he left for good reasons and shares his worries about how the company is being run under Microsoft.

Microsoft acquisition

In 2021, Bethesda, along with its parent company ZeniMax, was acquired by Microsoft for a staggering $7.5 billion. The deal has led to significant changes in Bethesda’s business strategy and cultural approach.

According to Hines, after the acquisition he felt ‘powerless’ to run the studio the way he once had. He noted that Bethesda is no longer part of something he considers ‘authentic,’ and that this made his role more difficult.

Hines’ role after the acquisition

Hines stayed on at Bethesda longer than planned to help oversee the release of Starfield, the first major title after the acquisition. The launch, however, was not without issues. Starfield was originally set to release on November 11, 2022, but suffered multiple delays. Hines positioned himself as a strong advocate for the studio, despite his growing frustration with the direction set by the new leadership.

Impact on future projects

Hines also spoke about the impact the acquisition has had on future projects such as The Elder Scrolls 6. He criticized the studio setup under Microsoft, saying it no longer aligns with what he sees as the essence of Bethesda. He raised questions about the authenticity of the decisions being made and their effect on developers and the community.

Despite all these concerns, fan excitement for The Elder Scrolls 6 remains strong. The game is expected to use the new version of the Creation Engine, which could mark a return to Bethesda’s classic RPG formula. Fans are eagerly waiting to see how this will unfold, especially in the context of ongoing changes within the company and Microsoft’s strategy.

With Hines gone and Bethesda changing, the question is whether The Elder Scrolls 6 can live up to expectations and how all of this fits into Microsoft’s broader strategy as a bigger player in the gaming industry. Looking beyond the hype, it’s clear that challenging times lie ahead for Bethesda and its future plans.