Companies & Studios

Bethesda Softworks

Open world RPG masters

Bethesda Softworks created vast open-world RPGs with The Elder Scrolls and later acquired Fallout, building immersive sandbox worlds where player freedom trumps narrative linearity.

pcPlayStationxbox developerpublisherrpg 1986–present

Overview

Bethesda builds worlds to get lost in. The Elder Scrolls series established their formula: vast landscapes, emergent gameplay, and hundreds of hours of content. Their acquisition of Fallout brought post-apocalyptic exploration to the same open-world template. Critics note the bugs; players note the hundreds of hours they’ve spent anyway.

Fast facts

  • Founded: 1986, Maryland.
  • Founder: Christopher Weaver.
  • Parent: ZeniMax Media (later Microsoft).
  • Known for: Elder Scrolls, Fallout.

The Elder Scrolls

TitleYearScale
Arena1994Continent
Daggerfall1996Massive procedural
Morrowind2002Alien world
Oblivion2006Medieval fantasy
Skyrim2011Cultural phenomenon

Fallout acquisition

EventYear
Rights acquired2004
Fallout 32008
Fallout 42015
Fallout 762018

Design philosophy

PrincipleImplementation
Player freedomGo anywhere
Emergent gameplaySystems interact
Content densitySomething everywhere
ModdabilityCreation Kit

Creation Engine

FeaturePurpose
Open worldSeamless exploration
NPC schedulesLiving world
Quest systemsRadiant generation
Modding supportCommunity content

Modding culture

ImpactScale
Total conversionsMassive projects
Quality-of-lifeBug fixes
ContentThousands of mods
LongevityExtends game life

Microsoft acquisition

YearEvent
2021Microsoft acquires ZeniMax
EffectXbox exclusivity

See also