Todd Howard has no problem leaning into the Skyrim meme. According to the head of Bethesda, even after being released “117 times,” the fantasy RPG still has a massive audience, while most of the studio’s teams are already focused on future projects.
One of the longest-running jokes in the video game industry is that The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has been re-released an almost absurd number of times since its original launch in 2011. The fantasy RPG is available on PC, PS3, Xbox 360, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and even Amazon Alexa. Todd Howard, Bethesda’s director, is well aware that this strategy has turned into a meme among players. Still, he argues that the game continues to attract such a large audience that porting it to new devices makes perfect sense, even fourteen years later.
Howard discussed the topic in an interview with The Game Business, where he also spoke about the challenge of managing Bethesda’s three major franchises – The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and Starfield – while meeting fans’ constant demand for new content. “Probably the biggest thing we have to deal with is how we cater to all those audiences”, he explained. “We now have three major franchises, and everyone wants more of them. It’s about choosing our battles and making sure each one is special.”
“And while we have released things – Skyrim, I think, just launched for the 117th time on Switch 2”, Howard joked. “There’s still a huge audience around that game, with mods and custom content as well. Fallout 76 is still going strong. But ultimately, it’s about the new releases.” Once again, the Bethesda director emphasized that most teams are currently working on The Elder Scrolls VI, ensuring that the long-awaited project receives the time and attention it deserves.
“We have multiple teams, but we bring more people onto a project when it really needs it… when we’re at a good pace, and we know what it’s going to look like”, Howard continued. “That’s still the challenge – finding a way to keep each franchise as vibrant as possible. The good news is that Fallout is in a great place right now.”
Be Patient: The Elder Scrolls VI Will Take Its Time
Howard has repeatedly stated that The Elder Scrolls VI is Bethesda’s top priority, with a significant portion of the studio dedicating its resources to development. However, this does not mean the release is imminent. While production is progressing well, the company’s director has been clear that the fantasy RPG still needs time before it is ready. “We all wish it could be a little faster – or much faster – but it’s a process we want to get right”, he said recently in another interview.
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