It’s About Time We Admit Todd Howard is Yet To Break an Unfortunate Bethesda Record That’s Been Going on For 13 Years

There’s absolutely no denying the fact that Bethesda and Todd Hard have given us numerous RPGs and first-person shooters that have gained very high scores and gone down in the history books.

Bethesda is a studio with a history of great games. (Image via Microsoft)

The studio has one of the biggest fanbases ever out there, and it’s been on the scene for decades at this point. Seriously, one can’t ignore the innovative gameplay, visuals, and storyline that Howard and his team have brought to us.

Despite the studio’s success, it still hasn’t managed to break one record that’s been going on for 13 years at this point.

Bethesda’s 13-year streak of producing terrible games

Starfield is the biggest tragedy of modern-day gaming. (Image via Microsoft)

While Bethesda and Todd Howard have given us many incredible games, things haven’t been smooth ever since the release of Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, which came out all the way back in 2011.

Since then, we’ve been treated to Fallout 4, Fallout 76, and Starfield. What’s common with all of these titles? Well, they simply failed to live up to the expectations.

Let’s take a look at Starfield, which was Howard’s magnum opus right from its inception. Bethesda promised that it was bringing gamers basically a space Skyrim and a load of things in its usual fashion. However, upon the game’s release, players couldn’t help but wonder how the game ever passed the testing stages.

Seriously, Starfield is one of the most bland games out there; the game has no soul and feels like a snooze fest. We’re in an era where we have RPG games such as Baldur’s Gate 3 and Cyberpunk 2077. Bethesda has way more experience than the studios behind these games and should be able to produce a title that outshines them. However, these new-generation RPGs are ten times better than what Starfield is.

What’s worse is that Bethesda refuses to accept its issues, blames players for not liking its games, and has the audacity to place the title among the studio’s crown jewels such as Fallout and Elder Scrolls.

Bethesda’s failures can be directly pinned on Howard’s own decisions. In recent months, we’ve heard from the studio’s ex-employees how Howard has too many things on his table and can’t give time to each project in a fair manner. With Shattered Space DLC’s release, it’s quite clear that his design philosophy is out of touch with reality and what gamers want.

Bethesda’s failures might continue with Elder Scrolls 6

The studio’s future relies on the success of Elder Scrolls 6. (Image via Microsoft)

Right alongside Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto 6, the Elder Scrolls 6 is one of the most anticipated games of the decade. It’s been more than a decade of inactivity in the franchise, but now that it’s confirmed that Bethesda is working on the game.

However, considering Bethesda‘s recent hot streak of bringing absolutely horrendous games that have damaged the company’s reputation, gamers aren’t convinced. The problem is that Howard and his team still haven’t acknowledged their failures and are committed to their usual approach to developing RPGs.

Even Bruce Nesmith, one of the Bethesda veterans, states that it will be “almost impossible” for the next Elder Scrolls game to live up to player expectations.

It’s not even about meeting expectations, as players just want a game from Bethesda that isn’t plagued with bugs and offers an engaging experience like the studio gave a decade ago. It doesn’t need to break records or sweep Game of the Year awards; all it needs to be is a fun game that brings Bethesda magic.

Let’s hope that Howard and his team can finally wake up and realize the situation the studio is in right now because if the Elder Scrolls 6 is a failure again, it won’t be long before Microsoft gives them the Concord treatment.

With that said, do you think Howard and his team need to reapproach Bethesda’s development strategy? Let us know in the comments below.