This article takes a nostalgic dive into a 2012 PC Gamer feature, where writers speculated on desired elements for the eagerly anticipated Elder Scrolls 6. Published shortly after Skyrim's release, the predictions offer a fascinating historical snapshot of player hopes for a game that remains largely unrevealed.
Charting the Future: A Look Back at Elder Scrolls 6 Aspirations
A Glimpse into the Past: Initial Hopes for Elder Scrolls 6
Fourteen years ago, the gaming community, especially through publications like PC Gamer, began to dream about the next installment in The Elder Scrolls series. This retrospective examines a specific "Armchair Designer" column from February 2012, titled "Ten things we want to see in Elder Scrolls 6," evaluating its foresight and identifying areas where predictions diverged significantly from reality or current trends. At the time, the enduring wait for TES 6, now projected for 2026, was unimaginable.
The Visionary Wishlist: Unattributed Authors and Bold Ideas
The original article, penned by an anonymous writer likely no longer with the publication, proposed a series of imaginative concepts for Elder Scrolls 6. These ideas ranged from significant time skips and geographical shifts to revamped gameplay mechanics, reflecting a strong desire for innovation within the beloved franchise. Despite the passage of time, many of these suggestions still resonate with the fan base, highlighting a consistent yearning for depth and fresh experiences.
Evaluating Predictions: Hits and Misses in Bethesda's Evolution
Among the wishlist's proposals were a 200-year time jump, a return to the Iliac Bay, and even a complete departure from Tamriel to the continent of Akavir. More granular suggestions included bringing back Morrowind's nuanced NPC permadeath, refining stealth mechanics with light and sound propagation, and incorporating BioWare-style companion systems. While some, like enhanced companions, have materialized in Bethesda's other titles such as Fallout 4 and Starfield, others, such as complex social media integrations within the game, proved to be more whimsical than prophetic.
Innovations Beyond the Original Scope: Unforeseen Gameplay Elements
The article also touched upon the desire for larger-scale encounters, squad tactics, and even Daedric pact magic with lasting consequences. Interestingly, while direct implementations of squad tactics haven't been central, Bethesda has experimented with systems that expand gameplay horizons, exemplified by Fallout 4's settlement building. The author also playfully notes how the suggestion of exploring "SPACE" eventually found a parallel in Starfield, suggesting a spiritual successor to Elder Scrolls in a different cosmic setting.
Personal Favorites and Future Aspirations: Shaping the Next Elder Scrolls
The author expresses a particular fondness for the idea of Morrowind-style player agency and deeper stealth systems, acknowledging the legacy of Bethesda's design director Emil Pagliarulo, whose background in stealth games influenced Skyrim's mechanics. Despite 14 years passing without these specific changes in subsequent Bethesda titles, the hope remains for TES 6 to push these boundaries further. The concept of visiting Akavir, with its potential for diverse political landscapes and factional conflicts, is also highlighted as a compelling direction, offering a fresh take on the series' traditional narrative and world-building.
