The Elder Scrolls is one of the biggest fantasy series in gaming, but the wait between titles seems endless. While The Elder Scrolls 6 is on its way, Bethesda has not shared much information since the game's reveal in 2018. This has left fans clamoring for even a small piece of Elder Scrolls content, and handing the reins to a new developer could provide a perfect opportunity.
The wait between Bethesda titles seems to only be getting longer, and letting other developers play around with its franchises could help alleviate that. The studio let Obsidian Entertainment explore Fallout through Fallout: New Vegas, and that is often regarded as one of the best games in the franchise. It not only helped bridge the gap between Bethesda's entries, but it also let players see a new take on the iconic series, and it is time for The Elder Scrolls to get the same treatment.
Elder Scrolls: New Vegas is Exactly What the Franchise Needs
The Elder Scrolls has been going strong since 1994, but the wait between The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim and The Elder Scrolls 6 seems to be the longest one yet, passing the 12-year mark. While fans have been able to enjoy The Elder Scrolls Online's numerous expansions during this time, they are still clamoring for something new to appear in Tamriel.
Bethesda's Fallout franchise had the same problem, as fans waited seven years between the third and fourth games. That gap was alleviated by the release of Fallout: New Vegas, which felt like a mainline entry in all but name. New Vegas saw an entirely different studio put their spin on the post-apocalyptic franchise, and it resulted in a fantastic adventure. While it still maintained the charm of Bethesda's world, Obsidian Entertainment was able to craft a new experience that is often regarded as one of the greatest RPGS of all time.
An Elder Scrolls game from a different developer may be exactly what the fans need right now. While it will take some time, releasing Elder Scrolls: New Vegas would be a wonderful way to bridge the gap between entries. It will likely not happen before The Elder Scrolls 6 at this rate, but it would fit perfectly between 6 and 7.
The Elder Scrolls: New Vegas would give fans something to enjoy while they wait for the next title, and it would allow a new developer to put its own spin on Tamriel. The franchise has mostly been controlled by Bethesda and its umbrella of studios, so a unique developer could bring a brand-new perspective that may result in one of the best fantasy RPGs around.
Microsoft owns a plethora of teams that it could tap for a new Elder Scrolls experience. Obsidian Entertainment could lend its expertise to the franchise, Playground Games could take a crack at it after Fable, inXile Entertainment could give it a shot, or Microsoft could let one of Activision Blizzard's many studios explore the idea if its acquisition goes through. If the right developer gets the job, then it could be exactly what The Elder Scrolls needs to feel renewed.
There have been no rumors suggesting an Elder Scrolls: New Vegas is happening, nor has there been any news regarding The Elder Scrolls 6. Bethesda's focus right now seems to be Starfield, but it should also give Elder Scrolls fans something before the end of the year. It would be great if that includes a new developer taking the reins to craft something truly magical.
The Elder Scrolls 6 is currently in development