Todd Howard Archives

AppWizard

January 10, 2026

Elder Scrolls fans are taking it well after Microsoft says it’s a ‘big year for games ending in 6’ ahead of its upcoming Xbox Direct showcase: ‘I’m practically living off hopium and copium at this point’

On January 22, Microsoft will host an Xbox Direct showcase featuring the anticipated titles Fable, Forza Horizon 6, and Beast of Reincarnation. Forza Horizon 6 is generating significant buzz, especially in comparison to Grand Theft Auto 6. Ride 6 is also set to launch in February. The Elder Scrolls 6 remains a highly anticipated but mysterious title, with fans eager for updates. Microsoft disabled replies to a teasing post, leading to speculation about managing expectations. Todd Howard, the director of The Elder Scrolls 6, indicated in December 2025 that while progress is being made, there is still a long way to go before its release. The likelihood of a full trailer debuting at the Xbox Direct showcase is considered slim.

AppWizard

January 7, 2026

Fallout Games Get Uptick in Concurrent Players on PC in Midst of Amazon Prime Show’s Second Season

The Amazon Prime Video's Fallout series has significantly increased player engagement with the franchise, particularly for Fallout 76, as noted by creative director Jon Rush in March 2025. Data from PCGamer shows a rise in concurrent players across Bethesda-era Fallout titles: Fallout 3's peak player count increased from nearly 700 to just under 1,000; Fallout 4's average rose from about 22,000 to nearly 33,000; and Fallout: New Vegas jumped from approximately 8,000 to around 15,000 players. Fallout 76's average player count climbed from about 20,000 to a peak of nearly 30,000. Bethesda is committed to supporting Fallout 76 with updates like the Glow of the Ghoul and is considering a remastered version of Fallout 3. Todd Howard confirmed that Fallout 5's narrative will be influenced by the Amazon series, acknowledging community requests for remasters of Fallout 3 and New Vegas.

AppWizard

December 13, 2025

With Starfield’s promised “exciting things” for 2025 still yet to materialize, it feels like we’ve been left to suffocate in space

Fans of Starfield have experienced a disappointing year, with criticism aimed at the game's lack of interstellar exploration and tedious planetary exploration. The official Starfield Twitter account acknowledged fan concerns in March, promising updates that have yet to materialize. The first expansion, Shattered Space, released a year after the game's launch, received 'mostly negative' reviews for its limited content. Despite some communication from Bethesda, including a developer spotlight and hints at a second DLC titled Terran Armada, fans remain uncertain due to the lack of substantial updates and a dedicated expansion page on Steam. As the year ends, the flow of information about Starfield has been minimal, leaving fans disheartened.

AppWizard

November 23, 2025

We owe Skyrim’s beloved Stealth Archer to one of the designers of an all-time classic PC stealth game, who wrote Todd Howard ‘a big document of stealth in 20 different games’

Stealth mechanics in role-playing games have been popular among players for decades, with games like Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, and Cyberpunk offering immersive experiences. The Stealth Archer playstyle in Skyrim has gained a significant following, leading to numerous guides and discussions online. Emil Pagliarulo, Bethesda's design director, has a background in stealth games, having started his career at Looking Glass Studios, known for titles like Thief. He conducted an analysis of stealth mechanics in 20 different games upon joining Bethesda. Oblivion, released in 2006, introduced important stealth mechanics such as consistent sound and line-of-sight, enhancing the stealth experience compared to previous games. Pagliarulo distinguishes between Thief, which focuses solely on stealth simulation, and Bethesda's games, which offer a broader range of gameplay systems. He emphasizes the freedom players have to shape their characters' identities through stealth gameplay, expressing pride in the evolution of stealth mechanics at Bethesda.

AppWizard

November 11, 2025

Fallout 4’s Creations Bundle stumbles from the Vault to Mostly Negative reviews, as players lament the pack ‘does not work’ and ‘made the game buggier’

Bethesda has launched a Creations Bundle for Fallout 4 to commemorate its tenth anniversary, featuring 150 player-created items priced at £17.99. The bundle has received a "Mostly Negative" rating on Steam, with 124 reviews indicating player dissatisfaction with pricing and content, which appears to be a repackaging of previously available items. Players have reported new bugs, severe crashes when exiting the game, and connectivity issues with the Bethesda store. Some users noted that not all advertised creations are included in the bundle, and the newly added Creations menu has been problematic. This situation is reminiscent of the troubled launch of Skyrim: Anniversary Edition, which still holds a Mixed rating on Steam. Additionally, issues from last year's Next Gen upgrade of Fallout 4 have resurfaced, causing further disruption.

AppWizard

November 10, 2025

The wait for the Elder Scrolls 6 has been “too long,” says Bethesda’s Todd Howard, while confirming it’s still ages away

Todd Howard of Bethesda acknowledged in a recent interview that the wait for The Elder Scrolls 6 has been "too long" and confirmed that the game is actively being developed, with a playable version already existing and undergoing playtests. He emphasized that The Elder Scrolls 6 is a priority for the studio, describing it as "an everyday thing" and mentioned the studio's philosophy of allowing significant gaps between Elder Scrolls releases to maintain the franchise's integrity. Bethesda's last major release, Starfield, received mixed reactions, with a recent review rating it 7/10.

AppWizard

November 10, 2025

Todd Howard says Fallout 4 “did not resonate” in one key way, but Bethesda has “hundreds” working on the series right now

The Fallout franchise has seen significant highs and lows over the past two decades, with critical acclaim for Fallout 3 and New Vegas, a decline with Fallout 4, and a troubled launch for Fallout 76, which has since improved. Bethesda's executive producer Todd Howard stated that "hundreds" of staff members are currently working on the Fallout series, indicating development beyond Fallout 76. There are ongoing enhancements to Fallout 76, and there are discussions about a potential sequel to Fallout 4 or a remake of a classic title. Howard acknowledged past criticisms of Fallout 4's dialogue system and expressed a desire to learn from past experiences for future projects. The release date for The Elder Scrolls 6 is uncertain, and any new Fallout title is likely further off, but there is hope for a return to successful game development by incorporating player feedback. Fans continue to desire a Fallout game that captures the tone and depth of Fallout: New Vegas.

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

Devs lament Oblivion Remastered’s surprise release as Todd Howard eats their lunch: ‘I noticed a complete stop in game sales from about 2 pm onward on Oblivion day’

Launching a video game is complex and challenging, especially for indie developers competing against major titles like GTA 6. Bethesda's announcement of Oblivion Remastered negatively impacted smaller developers, as its release on April 22 coincided with the launch of indie games like Post Trauma and Starless Abyss, leading to visibility issues. Developers reported significant revenue drops; Brian Bucklew estimated a 10-20% decrease in daily revenue, while Francisco González experienced a complete halt in sales after Oblivion's launch. This pattern of major releases overshadowing smaller games has been observed previously, such as with Monster Hunter Wilds in March.

AppWizard

April 22, 2025

Hot damn: The Oblivion Remaster is 125 GB, 2600% heavier than the original game from 2006

Bethesda has remastered The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion using Unreal Engine 5, available for £50, including horse armor but not the deluxe edition. The remaster requires 125 GB of storage, with a download size of 115 GB due to Steam's compression, marking a 2600% increase from the original game's 4.6 GB. The remaster combines Unreal Engine 5's graphics with Gamebryo's logic, maintaining Bethesda's signature quirks.

AppWizard

February 23, 2025

Remedy’s Sam Lake and Papers, Please creator Lucas Pope will receive major achievement awards in March

At the 25th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards, Sam Lake will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for his work on titles like Max Payne, Alan Wake, Quantum Break, and Control, having earned over 200 industry accolades. Lucas Pope will be awarded the Pioneer Award for his innovative games, including Papers, Please and Return of the Obra Dinn, both of which won the Grand Prize at the Independent Games Festival Awards. The event recognizes figures who enhance storytelling in gaming, with previous honorees including Todd Howard, John Romero, and Amy Hennig for the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Jordan Mechner, Roberta Williams, and Mabel Addis for the Pioneer Award.