Likelihood (or lack) of new expansions

[Schlumpsha]

Everyone talks about the paid mod marketplace and its creations. And for good reason. But what you all think of the chances we see future content created by Bethesda rather than third party mod authors?

Hypothetically, what would be your reaction if Todd Howard releases new expansions in the same vein as the Dragonborn DLC? And would you still be interested or ignore such official content?

Personally, I see new expanions as unlikely though not entirely as impossible. Considering Bethesda's latest move to earn money as a marketplace owner suggests a more passive roadmap strategy for Skyrim and all.

[Skarmo]

You know how old Skyrim is? Have you ever seen any expansion for a 12 years old game?

[JediLordNathan]

Age of Empires 2 every few months. Say what you will about the remaster the game is still over 20 years old

[Schlumpsha]

Originally posted by Skarmo:

You know how old Skyrim is? Have you ever seen any expansion for a 12 years old game?

Yes. Baldur's Gate, a 1998 title, saw the release of Siege of Dragonspear in 2016.

[Fear2288]

It’s possible, but not probable.

The only way I could see it happening is if for some reason they REALLY wanted to connect TESV and VI and in the process drum up more hype for VI and buy themselves even more time to get VI out the door.

But this would be unprecedented for them, they’ve never done anything like that in the past nor do they really try and make the mainline TES games narratively connected in that kind of way where one directly ties into and continues the story of another.

What would be more probable but still unlikely to happen, would be that they commission a mod maker or mod team to create content that sets up or “previews” something coming in VI - characters, gameplay elements, events, and/or locations.

This would be them effectively “creating” new content for Skyrim, but outsourcing the actual work to someone or a group of someones not directly working for them - allowing them to continue focusing their own time, effort, resources, etc on post-release content for Starfield and development of VI.

It may seem outlandish to some to think that a mod maker would agree to this, but put yourself in that position: Bethesda contacts you and says “hey, we like your work and think it’s really great, how would feel about making X for us? We’ll prominently feature it on the Creations store, give it our seal of approval, and you’ll get 70% of the profits.”

I think you’d be hard pressed to find a mod maker who’d turn that opportunity down (though you’d see many say they would until/unless it happens to them).

[psychotron666]

Originally posted by Schlumpsha:

Originally posted by Skarmo:

You know how old Skyrim is? Have you ever seen any expansion for a 12 years old game?

Yes. Baldur's Gate, a 1998 title, saw the release of Siege of Dragonspear in 2016.

And titan quest had a new expansion something like almost 20 years later

[FauxFurry]

Originally posted by Fear2288:

It’s possible, but not probable.

The only way I could see it happening is if for some reason they REALLY wanted to connect TESV and VI and in the process drum up more hype for VI and buy themselves even more time to get VI out the door.

But this would be unprecedented for them, they’ve never done anything like that in the past nor do they really try and make the mainline TES games narratively connected in that kind of way where one directly ties into and continues the story of another.

What would be more probable but still unlikely to happen, would be that they commission a mod maker or mod team to create content that sets up or “previews” something coming in VI - characters, gameplay elements, events, and/or locations.

This would be them effectively “creating” new content for Skyrim, but outsourcing the actual work to someone or a group of someones not directly working for them - allowing them to continue focusing their own time, effort, resources, etc on post-release content for Starfield and development of VI.

It may seem outlandish to some to think that a mod maker would agree to this, but put yourself in that position: Bethesda contacts you and says “hey, we like your work and think it’s really great, how would feel about making X for us? We’ll prominently feature it on the Creations store, give it our seal of approval, and you’ll get 70% of the profits.”

I think you’d be hard pressed to find a mod maker who’d turn that opportunity down (though you’d see many say they would until/unless it happens to them).

Creation Club/Anniversary Edition content is already essentially just third party expansions integrated into the main game so it is more likely than it would have seemed years ago.

[Anvos]

For ESV we're well past primary development, especially when ESVI is after Starfield on the release docket.

Now if you meant in the future, I still doubt it as Bethesda still has to give somebody else a cut for selling other creator mods. That alone should be enough to ensure official DLC still happens.

[A. Silvermane]

If Bethesda makes 'expansions' for Skyrim rather then put their efforts into making Elder Scrolls 6 I think people would revolt.

[Zero McDol]

I'd just want a visual overhaul for the game, nothing more. I'd be fine with buying a DLC from Bethesda for said overhaul. I of course do have mods that do a great job of overhauling the visuals, but I'd still like to see complete visual overhaul from Bethesda.

[Lummox JR]

Originally posted by Zero McDol:

I'd just want a visual overhaul for the game, nothing more. I'd be fine with buying a DLC from Bethesda for said overhaul. I of course do have mods that do a great job of overhauling the visuals, but I'd still like to see complete visual overhaul from Bethesda.

I'd actually be even more interested in engine overhauls. Visuals are important and my modlist in progress has a lot of those, but there are others that impact animations, movement, combat, that are a really big deal. I haven't even really had a chance to do proper combat with the new mods yet but what I've done so far has been amazing.

The engine is really holding them back, and it's nothing short of miraculous what the modders have done to spruce that up. A more modern engine, especially if they can incorporate some great lighting effects without making it run like crap, would be a big step up and is pretty important for their future.

[Kemalist(mdx³)]

Originally posted by psychotron666:

Originally posted by Schlumpsha:

Yes. Baldur's Gate, a 1998 title, saw the release of Siege of Dragonspear in 2016.

And titan quest had a new expansion something like almost 20 years later

and both where low tech games, even modders with tools could sht out an expension on these quick.