Bethesda Veteran Bruce Nesmith Weighs In on $100 Games and the Future of Elder Scrolls 6

In a recent interview with PressBoxPR, Bruce Nesmith, the lead designer of Skyrim and longtime Bethesda veteran, shared his insights on the gaming industry’s evolving pricing landscape, the potential for subscription models, and what fans can expect from The Elder Scrolls 6. Nesmith, who recently left Bethesda to focus on his own writing projects, including the Loki Redeemed trilogy, didn’t hold back in discussing the challenges and opportunities facing the industry.

The $100 Game Debate: Is It Inevitable?

Nesmith addressed the ongoing debate about whether games should cost $100, a topic that has gained traction with the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6. He acknowledged that game prices have remained relatively stagnant for years, with the standard $59.95 price tag persisting for over a decade. “For 15 years, it didn’t change. Not even a cost of living increase. Not even recognizing inflation. It stayed at that price point,” Nesmith explained. “The fact that the prices are going up, I can’t fault them for that.”

However, Nesmith also noted that players’ perceptions of value play a significant role. “I don’t think players look at the hours of experience per price of the title once it gets past a certain number,” he said. “There’s going to be savvy players who do, but I think a lot of times it’s just that immediate hit you in the jaw, the impact that I’ve got to drop this amount of money for a game.”

Subscription Models: The Future of Gaming?

Nesmith also speculated on the potential shift toward subscription-based models, a trend that has already taken hold in the online gaming space. “What I’m surprised you didn’t ask about is if they weren’t going to go to a subscription model,” he said. “A pay-as-you-go model. That seems to be where everything is going these days. I can’t get Microsoft Word unless I pay a monthly fee.”

While Nesmith didn’t predict that The Elder Scrolls 6 would adopt a subscription model, he suggested that the game would likely be priced according to industry standards at the time of its release. “If consumers are accepting $79.95, that’s what it’ll sell for. If they’re accepting $99.95, that’s what it’ll sell for,” he said. “It’ll sell for whatever premium games go for at that time, and Microsoft has a heavy say in that and how it’s marketed.”

Game Pass and the Future of Elder Scrolls 6

Nesmith also touched on the role of Game Pass in the future of The Elder Scrolls 6. Given Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda, it’s likely that the game will be available on Game Pass, potentially as part of a larger marketing push. “Economies around the world are struggling a little bit,” Nesmith noted. “I personally think game developers would be wise to not push the prices higher, but gamers are a special breed. You know, they will pay for what they want.”

A Look Back and Forward

In addition to discussing the future of gaming, Nesmith reflected on his time at Bethesda, including his work on The Elder Scrolls and Fallout series. He also shared his thoughts on where these franchises could go next, offering fans a glimpse into the creative process behind some of their favorite games.

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