In an insightful discussion, Bruce Nesmith, the former lead designer behind the acclaimed game Skyrim, has expressed his vision for the future of RPGs, particularly for The Elder Scrolls series. He advocates for a more interactive and consequence-driven narrative, drawing parallels with the recent critical and commercial triumph, Baldur's Gate 3. Nesmith's comments highlight a desire for game worlds where player decisions profoundly shape the unfolding story, marking a potential shift from Bethesda's traditional design philosophy.
Nesmith, a veteran of Bethesda, recently shared his experiences and perspectives in an interview, touching upon various aspects of game development. Among the topics discussed were the rationale behind sticking with Bethesda's proprietary engine over alternatives like Unreal Engine, the unique management style of studio head Todd Howard, and certain lore decisions that sparked debate within the gaming community. A central theme throughout his commentary was Bethesda's historical approach to game design, often prioritizing broad appeal, which sometimes meant simplifying complex systems.
Reflecting on the evolution of game worlds, Nesmith pointed out a trend in Bethesda's more recent titles towards less dynamic environments. This approach, he noted, was often driven by a need to align with audience expectations and streamline game development. However, he now believes there's an opportunity to re-evaluate this strategy. His inspiration comes directly from Larian Studios' Baldur's Gate 3, a title that has garnered widespread praise and achieved a remarkable 97% rating from PC Gamer, alongside securing the 2023 Game of the Year award. The game's success, with a Metacritic score of 96%, underscores the community's appreciation for deeply impactful choices.
Nesmith articulated that the profound popularity of Baldur's Gate 3 stems from its ability to make every player choice feel significant. He explains a design principle he terms "putting your toys away," where certain narrative elements or quest outcomes are reset to maintain flexibility for subsequent gameplay. While this approach works for minor side quests, Nesmith suggests that for major story arcs, player actions should lead to sweeping, irreversible changes within the game world. He envisions scenarios where, for instance, choices made within a thieves' guild quest line could dramatically alter the status or existence of other factions, such as a mages' guild, thereby emphasizing the weight of player agency.
Although Nesmith is no longer with Bethesda, his insights offer a compelling direction for the next iteration of The Elder Scrolls. He firmly believes that the gaming community has voiced a clear preference for games that offer meaningful consequences, similar to the experience provided by Baldur's Gate 3. This perspective suggests a future for the series where narrative dynamism and player impact are at the forefront of design. Beyond his thoughts on game development, Nesmith also discussed his post-Bethesda work, including his "Loki Redeemed" book trilogy, and shared additional ideas for the future trajectories of both The Elder Scrolls and Fallout franchises.