Skyrim’s Lack of a Spin-off Explained by Co-Designer Kurt Kuhlmann
- Kurt Kuhlmann attributes Skyrim’s absence of a spin-off to the success of The Elder Scrolls Online.
- The popularity of New Vegas created rivalry perceptions between Bethesda and Obsidian.
- Development of The Elder Scrolls 6 is ongoing, despite recent cuts at Zenimax Online.
According to Kurt Kuhlmann, co-lead designer for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, the reason the game never received a spin-off akin to Fallout: New Vegas stems from the ongoing success of The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO). In discussions with FRVR (via VGC), Kuhlmann highlighted that the MMORPG kept fans engaged while Bethesda pursued other projects.
“I do think The Elder Scrolls Online took the heat off,” he explained. “There was a new Elder Scrolls product, and it was ongoing. It was creating new content constantly.”
Kuhlmann noted that while The Elder Scrolls has traditionally been a single-player experience, ESO altered that dynamic, becoming the primary interaction for many players. “There are a lot of people… I mean, I know [there are] the single-player people, I’m one of those people – but there are a lot of people to whom The Elder Scrolls is now The Elder Scrolls Online. That’s their experience with it. That’s what they love,” he stated.
Another factor in the lack of a Skyrim spin-off was the competitive landscape created by New Vegas, which sparked perceptions of rivalry between Bethesda and its developer, Obsidian. “The whole New Vegas thing did create this – at least the perception of this – ‘Who makes a better Fallout game? Oh, they should just give it to Obsidian,'” Kuhlmann pointed out.
He added, “There are the Obsidian, New Vegas people that think obviously New Vegas is way better, Obsidian is way better at making those games, and why don’t they just get Fallout altogether.” Kuhlmann remarked that series creator Todd Howard was protective of the Elder Scrolls property to avoid a similar situation.
Recently, Obsidian was confirmed to be collaborating with Bethesda on a new Fallout game after significant restructuring within the Xbox division, which further integrated Obsidian under Bethesda’s umbrella.
The Elder Scrolls Online development will persist, although extensive cuts at Zenimax Online have led to adjustments in the scope of forthcoming additions. Zenimax Online continues to assure fans that ESO remains active.
Development of The Elder Scrolls 6 is in progress, with Bethesda asserting that recent layoffs have not impacted its development roadmap. Currently, there is no public release target for the game.
News Courtesy of Eurogamer
