The Elder Scrolls Doesn't Have a New Vegas-Like Spinoff Because Todd Howard Is 'Very Protective' of the Franchise, Former Dev Claims

Elder Scrolls may never get a Fallout: New Vegas-like spinoff, suggests former Bethesda developer Kurt Kuhlmann. Kuhlmann, who led the design and senior roles at Bethesda for 20 years, spoke about his experiences in an interview with FRVR. Fans have long questioned why The Elder Scrolls never received such a treatment, but Kuhlmann explained there is a clear reason behind it.

He noted that the success of Fallout: New Vegas led some to perceive that Bethesda should hand The Elder Scrolls over to Obsidian, the studio behind New Vegas. However, Kuhlmann is unsure if Todd Howard, the company's president, wanted to replicate that scenario for The Elder Scrolls. He stated that Howard is "very protective" of the franchise.

Kuhlmann believes Bethesda's The Elder Scrolls Online took the pressure off the idea of a traditional spinoff. Launched in 2014, the multiplayer expansion carved out its own identity within the franchise, becoming a significant part of The Elder Scrolls' legacy for many fans. Kuhlmann emphasized that ESO is now the primary Elder Scrolls experience for many players, making it the default gaming experience for those interested in the series.

He stopped short of confirming if Bethesda had ever discussed a formal spinoff, but as the company undergoes significant changes, fans will have to make do with The Elder Scrolls Online until a traditional sixth installment is released, which remains uncertain as it was announced in 2018 but still seems years away.