An ongoing series of tributes to classic RPGs
If you know whence you came, there are absolutely no limitations to where you can go.
— James Baldwin
At Azra Games, we take our commitment to RPGs very seriously and occasionally like to pay tribute to a classic forebearer. With the video game world buzzing about Starfield, one of the most anticipated and critically acclaimed RPGs ever released, we thought it would be a good time to look back on another seminal title from Bethesda: Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
Skyrim, released in 2011 for PC, Playstation 3, and XBox 360, was the fifth installment of the Elder Scrolls series. The series began with “The Elder Scrolls: Arena” in 1994. While originally intended to be a gladiatorial game, it evolved into a vast open-world RPG. Successive games, including “Daggerfall” (1996), “Morrowind” (2002), and “Oblivion” (2006), built upon this foundation with increasingly detailed worlds and enhanced game mechanics.
While Skyrim fit squarely within the Elder Scrolls franchise, it took some giant strides away from its predecessors that elevated its importance in RPG history, especially in retrospect. Directed by Todd Howard, the game was built on the Creation Engine, an entirely new game engine developed specifically for it. This engine allowed for much more richly detailed graphics, improved AI, and more dynamic environments. No previous game had ever-changing weather elements like periodic snowfall, for instance.
Notable innovations
Open World Design: While open worlds were not new by the time “Skyrim” arrived (previous Elder Scrolls games like “Morrowind” and “Oblivion” already featured them), the level of detail, scale, and interactivity in Skyrim’s world set a new benchmark. The sheer number of locations, quests, and events made it one of the most expansive open-world games of its time.
Radiant AI and Radiant Story: This system made NPC behavior and certain quest generation more dynamic. Instead of always following strict scripts, NPCs had routines and could make decisions based on the player’s actions. The Radiant Story system could generate quests based on where the player had been, what they had done, and who they had interacted with.
Dragons: While dragons themselves aren’t innovative, the way “Skyrim” incorporated them into gameplay was unique. They could appear randomly, engage in combat with the player, and then be absorbed to learn new “shouts” or powers.
Shouts: The Dragon Shouts, or “Thu’um”, added a new dimension to combat and exploration. Players could learn words of power from ancient walls and the souls of defeated dragons. These shouts provided a range of abilities, from blasting enemies away to slowing down time.
Modding: While modding was also available in previous Bethesda games, the modding community for “Skyrim” took it to another level. Bethesda provided extensive tools and support, allowing the community to create content that massively expanded the game, improved its visuals, and added entirely new mechanics.
Graphical Prowess: For its time, “Skyrim” was a significant graphical leap, especially on PC. The game’s visual aesthetics, combined with its dynamic weather systems and day-night cycle, made the world feel alive and immersive.
Dynamic World: The world of Skyrim felt lived-in. Civil wars erupted, wildlife roamed the landscapes, and various events could occur as the player journeyed through the world, making each playthrough feel unique.
Character Customization: The flexibility in character creation and development meant players weren’t locked into a specific class. Instead, they could evolve their character organically based on how they played the game.
Factions and Side Quests: The depth and number of side quests and factions in “Skyrim” were notable. Joining guilds, participating in their stories, and even making choices that affected the world were all integral parts of the experience.
Integration of Lore: “Skyrim” deeply embedded its lore into every corner of the game, from books to NPC dialogues, making the world feel rich and historical.
The impact of Skyrim on Bethesda
The release of Skyrim” was a monumental event for Bethesda Game Studios and its parent company, Bethesda Softworks. Here’s what the game’s release and subsequent success meant for the company:
Commercial Success: “Skyrim” sold incredibly well, moving millions of units shortly after release. Over the years, with multiple re-releases on various platforms and the introduction of additional content, its sales figures have continued to climb. This commercial success solidified Bethesda’s position as a top-tier game developer and publisher.
Cultural Impact: Beyond mere sales, “Skyrim” permeated popular culture in a way few games do. Phrases like “Arrow to the knee” became internet memes, and references to the game appeared in various media, from TV shows to other video games. This cultural impact highlighted Bethesda’s ability to create not just games but cultural phenomena.
Critical Acclaim: The game was lauded by critics for its expansive open world, deep lore, and player freedom. Winning numerous “Game of the Year” awards and other accolades, “Skyrim” further bolstered Bethesda’s reputation for creating high-quality RPGs.
Modding Community Support: The vibrant modding community that emerged around “Skyrim” demonstrated Bethesda’s commitment to supporting player creativity. This relationship with modders has been a hallmark of the “Elder Scrolls” series and was reinforced with “Skyrim.”
Validation of Design Philosophy: Bethesda has always emphasized open-world design, player freedom, and deep lore in their games. The success of “Skyrim” validated this design philosophy, encouraging the company to continue in this direction for subsequent games.
Platform for Future Titles: The success of “Skyrim” provided Bethesda with the financial resources, player goodwill, and industry clout to invest in future projects. It paved the way for other ambitious titles, both within the “Elder Scrolls” series and outside of it, like the “Fallout” series.
Challenges and Learning Opportunities: While “Skyrim” was widely celebrated, it also faced criticism for bugs and technical issues. This feedback provided Bethesda with valuable insights into areas of improvement for their game development and quality assurance processes.
Expansion of Player Base: “Skyrim” attracted many new players to the “Elder Scrolls” series. Its success on multiple platforms, including consoles, PCs, and later on, the Nintendo Switch and VR, expanded Bethesda’s reach and introduced their games to a broader audience.
In essence, “Skyrim” was more than just a successful game for Bethesda — it was a testament to their vision, capabilities, and relationship with their player base. It solidified their position in the gaming industry and set the stage for their future endeavors.
Skyrim’s Legacy: How it Influenced the Genre
While it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly how and whether one game may have influenced another, and many game directors would be reluct to admit to having been influenced in certain ways, it seems clear that many RPGs released after Skyrim seem to have adopted some of its innovations. A few of these include:
1. Dragon Age: Inquisition:
- Open World Exploration: Bioware moved away from the more level-based design of earlier “Dragon Age” titles to a vast, open world with various regions to explore, reminiscent of “Skyrim’s” expansive world.
- Character Customization: Players were given more freedom in character creation and progression, allowing for a more personalized gameplay experience.
2. Breath of the Wild:
- Open World Exploration: While the Zelda series had open-world elements before, “Breath of the Wild” introduced an expansive, fully explorable world that has some similarities to “Skyrim” in terms of exploration freedom and environmental interaction.
- Dynamic Systems: The game features dynamic weather, physics, and environmental systems that players can use to their advantage, reminiscent of “Skyrim’s” interactive world.
3. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey & Valhalla:
- RPG Elements: The “Assassin’s Creed” series shifted more towards RPG mechanics in these titles, with character progression, dialogue choices, and branching narratives becoming central elements, reminiscent of the depth seen in “Skyrim.”
4. Fallout 4 & Fallout 76:
- Bethesda’s Learning Curve: Bethesda would be the first to admit that it took cues from “Skyrim’s” successes and challenges when designing its subsequent “Fallout” games, especially in terms of world-building and player freedom.
Skyrim was an important moment in RPG history. After its release it won numerous Game of the Year awards and, bolstered by its extensive library of DLC and expansions, is still played today. We’re building a game called Project Legends that we believe will earn a place in the pantheon of RPGs, and we’d love to have you along for the ride.