The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim’s lead designer is “eternally shocked” that Bethesda’s RPG remains so popular, but it’s due to the success of its open world that no other game has managed to replicate.
Interviewed by FRVR, Bruce Nesmith discussed the popularity of the 14-year-old game and its “quirky” open world.
“I’m eternally shocked by that,” said Nesmith. “By all rights, a year later, some other game should have eclipsed it. And then two years later, three years later, five, ten. It’s like ‘what the hell is going on here?’
“Todd [Howard] would even go to these meetings and show us information, which I can’t give you the details of, about how many people are playing it. It’s like, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me?’ Seriously, still, ten years later.”
Bethesda’s games are known for their open worlds, as well as notorious meme-worthy bugs. But Skyrim’s expansive world was particularly impressive at the time for its sense of freedom that offered a “player-driven experience” Nesmith believes “very few games have mastered”.