Skyrim Vet Thinks Bethesda Devs Will Get Harassment And Death Threats “Even If The Elder Scrolls 6 Is Great”

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Summary

  • Former Skyrim developer Nate Purkeypile has claimed that those working on The Elder Scrolls 6 will most likely face online abuse, no matter the game’s quality.
  • Speaking at GDC, Purkeypile says that “the internet can be really awful”, and that harassment will come for Bethesda “even if The Elder Scrolls 6 is great”.

It’s well-known that the internet can often be a very unfriendly environment, but this is particularly evident in the gaming industry. For instance, companies such as Ubisoft are taking steps to safeguard their developers from online abuse following the launch of Assassin’s Creed Shadows this week, while former employees from studios like BioWare are highlighting so-called “fans” who express joy over studio downsizings.

Nate Purkeypile, who’s no stranger to the unsavory aspects of online communities, has worked on popular titles like Fallout 3, Fallout 4, and Fallout 76 at Bethesda. At this year’s GDC (thanks to GamesRadar for the info), Purkeypile discussed the impact of social media on games, expressing that his time working on Fallout 76 has made him acutely aware that “the online world can be quite harsh.

The Elder Scrolls 6 Devs Will Get Abuse, Regardless Of Quality

Later, Purkeypile discusses The Elder Scrolls 6, a game Bethesda plans to launch next, and speculates that the developers working on it may face continued criticism, no matter how positively the game is received by players.

According to Purkeypile, “Even if The Elder Scrolls 6 turns out fantastic, I’m certain there will be lengthy YouTube videos [and] threats again.” In simpler terms, he’s saying that if a game isn’t well-received by the public, the internet community can be harsh, similar to people who are criticized for harming baby seals.

Bethesda’s past success and high anticipation for The Elder Scrolls 6 make it challenging to reveal much more about the game, as people have high hopes based on Bethesda’s reputation. A former developer of Starfield and Fallout games even suggested that meeting those expectations might be almost impossible.

In an ideal scenario, The Elder Scrolls 6 would debut without developers needing to anticipate online harassment. Regrettably, our reality is different. Given the immense buzz and anticipation surrounding the game, it’s likely that Bethesda will encounter criticism, regardless of how the final product turns out. At the minimum, they can take a cue from Ubisoft and implement safeguards to protect their staff from such negativity.

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2025-03-20 03:07