The previous decade was defined by many incredible games, withSkyrimandGTA 5helping define open-world RPG experiences and keeping fans engaged in its content to date. Now for the current decade, the two games that could potentially define it areThe Elder Scrolls 6andGrand Theft Auto 6.
Bethesda releasingSkyrimin 2011, followed by Rockstar Games' latestGTAtwo years after, and fans are still engaged with them through various mods and other creative liberties. Both games have been iconic in the Internet’s meme landscape, and the franchises continue to define the gaming cultural zeitgeist in many respects. Therefore, it seems this decade could repeat itself withElder Scrolls 6andGTA 6.
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Development for Elder Scrolls 6 Should Really Start After Starfield
SinceSkyrim’s release in 2011 fans have been waiting for any news on the next installment, and at E3 2018 Bethesda announced thatElder Scrolls 6is coming. Little news has cropped up since, though recently Bethesda CEO Todd Howard said his studio’s most recent projectStarfieldis serving as a test of its newest enginebefore the studio moves on to developElder Scrolls6. This serves as good news that the game will be entering more serious development followingStarfield, but it’s also bad news that Bethesda will not be releasing the long-awaited sequel any time soon.
However long it takes may be worth the wait, since the studio seems to be taking its time following theMMORPGFallout 76infamously releasing in an unfinished state. Another thing that Bethesda has become infamous for is the glitches present in many of its main-line AAA franchises.Skyrim’s original release was rife with game-breaking glitches, and the same can be said aboutFallout4’s release. The fact Bethesda is taking its time means it may be learning its lesson on making sure its games' engine runs smoothly on current-generation consoles.
Rockstar’s Word on GTA 6
Rockstar Games has gone on record sayingGrand Theft Auto 6has been in development as early as 2012. The studio seems to be taking its time as well with the staple franchise, which gives players hope that there will be major changes to the series. There must be something big in the works for the franchise if Rockstar is still keeping its secrets about the game. Fans worried when game developerDan Houser leaves Rockstar Gamesin 2020, as he was responsible for theGrand Theft Autoseries.
Nevertheless, fans playingGTA 5have more information to speculate on what to expect in the coming installment. Those still playing theDiamond Heist Mode inGTA 5have been digging around and found clues pointing to the newest installment returning to a Vice City-like location. Speculation has fans wondering what the plot will be, as well as what will be coming to the series such as the older design philosophy of theGTAseries. Returning to a Vice City location or something similar may be the developers hinting at a return to form.
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Relevance Through Memes
Although it may sometimes be at the behest of the developers, the fact thatmemes surroundingSkyrimandGTA 5have been evolving remains a net positive for both studios. The first meme anyone may recognize fromSkyrimis the infamous arrow to the knee line, andOblivion’s, “Stop! You have violated the law!” line also lives on through memes on YouTube - but that’s just the tip of the iceberg ofElder Scrollsmemes. The most popular meme trend for theElder Scrollscurrently is getting knocked out and waking up at the beginning ofSkyrim.
TheGrand Theft Autoseries has also seen its fair share of memes sinceGTA 5’s release in 2013, and one of them is fans reenacting the scene inGrand Theft Auto 5whenLarmar roasts Franklin. It has come so far that the actors Slink Johnson and Shawn Fonteno reenacted the scene themselves in real-time. TheGTAfranchise has always leaned heavily on its characters, and this scene among others has kept the game alive since. One downside to the staying power of these two games, given they are still relevant nearly a decade later, is that the developers should know there are high expectations.
Fans Expectations Through the Roof
Fans of both series are setting their expectations high for Bethesda and Rockstar Games, so pressure is on for the developers. Bethesda is taking its time withThe Elder Scrolls6,and has reportedly not even reached productionyet, so fans of the series may have to wait a long time until its release. On the bright side, Bethesda’s new engine forStarfieldwill serve as the engine for the upcoming game, meaning that the studio will have familiarity with all of the glitches that may come with it.
Rockstar Games, on the other hand, has been developing its game for a while now. It is worth noting that because of this, fans of Rockstar Games may seeGTA6before Bethesda fans get their new game. Either way, what may come with these games could be decade-defining similar to their predecessors.
Grand Theft Auto 6andThe Elder Scrolls 6are in development.
MORE:Elder Scrolls 6 Fans Need to be More Vocal About Changes Right Now
