Todd Howard

AppWizard
April 29, 2025
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
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
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.
AppWizard
December 6, 2024
The latest installment in the Indiana Jones video game franchise, titled "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle," has received a range of reviews. VG247 and VCG both awarded it a perfect score of 100, praising its nostalgic Hollywood blockbuster feel. God is a Geek and HardcoreGamer rated it 80, highlighting its authenticity and gameplay while suggesting improvements in combat mechanics. PCGamer gave it a score of 86, comparing it to elite licensed games. GameSpot and IGN both rated it 90, commending its story and focus on stealth and exploration. The game is set in 1937, where players control Indiana Jones to stop sinister forces from obtaining an ancient power. It is developed by MachineGames, with Todd Howard involved in its design. Engadget noted that while the narrative is strong, the game could benefit from mechanical polishing.
AppWizard
October 4, 2024
In 2001, the hairy deathclaw from Fallout Tactics became a focal point for criticism of the game's developer, Micro Forté, due to its unconventional design choice of a thick fur coat. Lead designer Ed Orman acknowledged the controversy, stating that while variations on deathclaws could be justified, the design was initially seen as sacrilege. Fallout Tactics is considered a bold offshoot of the RPG franchise, created by a passionate team despite limited resources. Although Todd Howard declared it non-canon, elements from the game have influenced later titles and gained appreciation among fans. Orman expressed pride in the team's accomplishment despite the challenges faced during development.
AppWizard
September 1, 2024
The Elder Scrolls Online is an MMORPG nearing its tenth anniversary, known for its intricate representation of diverse continents and cultures. Unlike its mainline counterparts, which have not seen a major release in 13 years, the game has evolved with fresh content delivered at a brisk pace. The game's creative director, Rich Lambert, and studio director, Matt Frior, discussed expanding the game's lore while maintaining the established canon with Todd Howard. The game has thrived despite competition from World of Warcraft and has cultivated a dedicated community. It celebrated the release of its 43rd major update on August 19.
AppWizard
August 14, 2024
Fallout: New Vegas is regarded as a high point in the Fallout series, despite some fans feeling it is undervalued by Bethesda, which did not develop it. There is interest in a new Obsidian-developed Fallout game, with Josh Sawyer expressing willingness to lead such a project under certain conditions. Tim Cain, co-creator of the original Fallout, indicated he would consider returning if there were opportunities for new creative exploration. However, both Sawyer and Cain's return seems unlikely due to Bethesda's focus on iterative design rather than narrative depth, and the current industry trend towards risk-averse blockbuster titles.
AppWizard
August 9, 2024
Kinggath, a renowned modder, was highlighted during Bethesda's livestream at QuakeCon. He is known for his revolutionary mods, Sim Settlements and Sim Settlements 2, which have become essential to the Fallout 4 experience by transforming gameplay and settlement management. Additionally, Kinggath is developing a new project for Starfield, titled "At Hell's Gate," which features a Doom-inspired miniquest with elements like Doom Guy armor and a shotgun set in a hellish space station environment.
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