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entertainment5h ago
Bethesda's former Elder Scrolls loremaster on why he left, Starfield's 'communication breakdowns', and how he wanted The Elder Scrolls 6 'to be The Empire Strikes Back'
Pcgamer.com and 1 more
- Kurt Kuhlmann left Bethesda in 2023 after more than two decades, citing growing bureaucracy and a desire to stay hands-on with design.
- He attributes company growth and bureaucratic layers for slowing decision-making and cutting hands-on design time.
- Howard verbally promised Kuhlmann a lead design role on TES6, a commitment that ultimately did not materialize.
- Kuhlmann imagined TES6 with a tone and stakes akin to The Empire Strikes Back, signaling a darker, higher-threat direction for Tamriel.
- Starfield's development is described as hampered by communication breakdowns between remote studios, leading to inconsistent guidance.
- Howard's expanding leadership burden is cited as a source of creative and organizational strain within Bethesda's growing structure.
- Kuhlmann notes TES6 leadership would differ from Skyrim due to scale, describing it as more bureaucratic and studio-spread.
- He preferred TES6 to explore a different era and higher-stakes path, fearing a conventional ending would feel unsatisfying.
- A PC Gamer interview captures Kuhlmann's view that long-running issues at Bethesda contributed to his departure and ongoing disillusionment.
- The reference adds context that TES6 was publicly teased early as a response to Skyrim's long gap and fan interest in a new entry.
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