What do I want from the next Bethesda game?

[Tolfdir]

Tons of electronic ink got spilled complaining about what went wrong with Starfield. Here, instead of writing about what I don't want to see, I want to share the things I will be looking for, from now on, when deciding to purchase or recommend a game in the RPG and related genres.

As a paying customer, I will be looking for the folloring:

1. Gameplay and story that are good or at least passable.
2. Graphics are important but come second to gameplay.
3. Adult themes. This is mandatory. I can barely stand a game that is not at least "mature" in current ratings. "Adult" includes
-the absence of language filter (I can devise for myself what words I want to hear)
-blood and gore, when applicable (flaw #23458 of Strarfield is the absence of blood
and gore)
-existence of alcohol, narcotics, and such if it makes sense in game
- jokes, please, jokes and humor uncensored
- Just as an example: in Fallout 2, you can save your people, prostitute yourself,
kill children, steal, and sell people into slavery, among other things.

4. Fair pricing as in "honest upfront cost without hiding content behind a second paywall." Collector's edition meant the same game, plus a cloth map and an wooden box. Not difference in the actual game.

5. Male and female as only options in human characters creation and body selection, unless it is a sex game with futa content.

6. Ability to play with attractive male and female characters, even if it is "unrealistic." Feminine jaw lines and faces, as well as body structure. If the protagonist is a square jaw butch, I need look no further (see Vampire: The Masquerade. Bloodlines 2, soon to be released as a primary example),

7. Men, white men in particular, reasonably presented not only as stupid villains but also in positive, exemplary roles, when it makes sense.

8. Absence of "ugly boss chicks in positions of power" unless it makes sense - this means no more than 1-2 in a whole game universe.

9. When applicable, NPC races make sense for the setting and can't be attributed to race swapping.

10. If the game offers commentary on social and economic theories, free markets should be presented accurately. I have seen enough Marxist propaganda in games that my life quote if full.

11. When possible, no cartoon villains and heroes. Bonus points of depth, redemption arcs, and nuance. When was the last time where we had a main title in which you start as a villain and go on a long path of redemption?

12. Difficult moral choices that have meaningful consequences either way. Distinct opportunities for good, evil, and mixed paths.

13. For Western audiences only: if the game criticizes the West, the criticism must be balanced and fair, as opposed to propaganda. Fair means, comparing to realistic (usually worse) alternatives.

14. When relationships matter: center stage positive presentation of heterosexual relationships that result in children. Correctly identifying other choices as lifestyles that come at a cost.

[PrahanaHazGutz]

If wishes were turnips.

[savageone]

I am no longer concerned with their next project, between Fallout 76's launch and Starfield I no longer consider Bethesda Studios worth caring about or following. If they release something worthwhile and/or fix Starfield then they may win back some of their lost fans.

[HeyYou]

Originally posted by savageone:

I am no longer concerned with their next project, between Fallout 76's launch and Starfield I no longer consider Bethesda Studios worth caring about or following. If they release something worthwhile and/or fix Starfield then they may win back some of their lost fans.

I suspect that ES6 will still be a good seller.... at least, initially. Elder Scrolls has a LOT of die hard fans..... That, and given how long it will be before it releases..... folks will forget, or gloss over, a lot of the issues with Starfields launch. Of course, if beth actually manages to FIX the issues with the game, probably go a long way toward getting 'forgiveness' from their fans.

[major tom]

peace!

[Jimmi Stixx]

Originally posted by Prahana:

If wishes were turnips.

If wishes were fishes. There wouldn't be anymore fishes.

One thing Starfield has accomplished is getting crybaby backward right wingers to out themselves.

[savageone]

Originally posted by HeyYou:

Originally posted by savageone:

I am no longer concerned with their next project, between Fallout 76's launch and Starfield I no longer consider Bethesda Studios worth caring about or following. If they release something worthwhile and/or fix Starfield then they may win back some of their lost fans.

I suspect that ES6 will still be a good seller.... at least, initially. Elder Scrolls has a LOT of die hard fans..... That, and given how long it will be before it releases..... folks will forget, or gloss over, a lot of the issues with Starfields launch. Of course, if beth actually manages to FIX the issues with the game, probably go a long way toward getting 'forgiveness' from their fans.

Yes, I am playing ESO still today.

[Goof]

If es 6 is exactly like starfield but high fantasy, I'd be happy

[TheCr33pur]

Not really interesting any more games from Bethesda, except for fixing this already!

I doubt if i ever buy anything else from Bethesda, after what they did to Starfield.

[Diernayr]

Originally posted by TheCr33pur:

Not really interesting any more games from Bethesda, except for fixing this already!

I doubt if i ever buy anything else from Bethesda, after what they did to Starfield.

Ditto, the entire company structure is based on smoke and mirrors, and the most efficient way to part their customers of their money.

Im just here to watch this train wreck go off the cliff into obscurity.

[TheCr33pur]

Originally posted by diernayr:

Originally posted by TheCr33pur:

Not really interesting any more games from Bethesda, except for fixing this already!

I doubt if i ever buy anything else from Bethesda, after what they did to Starfield.

Ditto, the entire company structure is based on smoke and mirrors, and the most efficient way to part their customers of their money.

Im just here to watch this train wreck go off the cliff into obscurity.

It has been a mad house in this forum ever since the game release, so many customers are unhappy with this product. Some and included me been trying to get a refund and got denied!

[NerdyMusician]

I doubt I even want the next Bethesda game, and I was a pre-orderer of Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield. Been playing their games since Oblivion.

Whatever motivated the teams to build the games of the past has been lost, I think they just grew too big and became too corporate.

Instead of just focusing on great single player experiences, they branched out to make mobile games like Fallout Shelter and Elder Scrolls Blades, and an "MMO" with Fallout 76. Good for the bottom line, but something got lost in the spread.

[savageone]

Originally posted by NerdyMusician:

I doubt I even want the next Bethesda game, and I was a pre-ordered of Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield. Been playing their games since Oblivion.

Whatever motivated the teams to build the games of the past has been lost, I think they just grew too big and became too corporate.

Instead of just focusing on great single player experiences, they branched out to make mobile games like Fallout Shelter and Elder Scrolls Blades, and an "MMO" with Fallout 76. Good for the bottom line, but something got lost in the spread.

Good games may no longer be their primary goal as corporate Brass has taken over.

[Brakiri]

I've lost interest in BSG games at this point. I played TES:Arena when it came out, played everything except F76, but even F4 was a very weak game from a RPG perspective and Starfield just bored me to tears. I mean they never had good stories, but the exploration, the smaller questlines etc. were enjoyable, but this?
Detractors can scream and kick and tell us how successful SF was, I don't care, if TES6 is as shallow, boring, uninspired and bad in storytelling then I won't buy it. I'm very happy that I could play SF on gamepass. I would have NEVER bought it for full price anyway but now I know that nothing, except a full conversion mod could make me play this stinker ever again and I have played new Vegas, Oblivion, Sykirm and F3/F4 to death.

At this point, I don't care anymore. If its good, its good, if its bad its bad, but I won't get excited seeing a TES6 trailer or anything and I don't care if it comes next year or in 2030.
BSG losts its calendar spot for things to look forward to.

[peppergomez]

What do I want from the next Bethesda game? That's easy, I don't want Bethesda to create any more games because they suck at it

[rtothereeves]

I could not care less for ES6 or whatever crap they crack out next. I doubt I will even play it for free. But if I did have one wish it would be for Obsidian to take over.