Co-Lead Designer for Skyrim Envisions The Elder Scrolls VI as a “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” Experience

Kurt Kuhlmann dedicated over two decades of his career to Bethesda Game Studios, where he played a pivotal role as a co-lead designer on the critically acclaimed The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Often referred to as the series’ “loremaster, ”Kuhlmann has recently reflected on his time at the studio and his ambitions for the future of the Elder Scrolls franchise. Although he is no longer with Bethesda, a recent interview with PC Gamer revealed that he was in contention to lead The Elder Scrolls VI. He envisions a game heavily influenced by the storytelling style of Star Wars, which could set a monumental tone for the upcoming installment.

Although Kuhlmann was never formally offered the designation of lead designer for The Elder Scrolls VI, he indicates that Todd Howard, the studio’s leader, verbally suggested that he would take on the role after completing Skyrim. He expressed disappointment, explaining that had it not been for the development of Fallout 76 and Starfield, fans might have experienced The Elder Scrolls VI much sooner.

In Kuhlmann’s own words, “After Fallout 4, instead of moving on to TES6, we developed Fallout 76, and then transitioned to Starfield.”He dubs Starfield as an extensive project that has prolonged the wait for a new Elder Scrolls game: “From my perspective, I’ve been waiting about 11 years to lead TES6.”

With significant experience under his belt, Kuhlmann, alongside Bruce Nesmith, was confidant in his ability to successfully helm TES6.“Most people regard Skyrim as a success, so I felt justified to consider myself a strong candidate for TES6 leadership. I had received indications that it was in the cards, but ultimately, that was not the decision made by the studio.”This divergence of vision marked Kuhlmann’s growing realization that his direction did not align with the evolving goals at Bethesda, prompting his departure in 2023.

If circumstances had favored Kuhlmann, he envisioned a sequel portraying a narrative arc akin to The Empire Strikes Back. His plan included a dramatic storyline where the Thalmor, established as the antagonists in Skyrim, appeared to triumph, leaving players with a cliffhanger that would pave the way for The Elder Scrolls VII.“The narrative outcome would shift focus to the Thalmor’s rising power, evoking a sense of hope despite the overshadowing threat, ” he shared.

However, Kuhlmann was conscious that his ambitious concept might face resistance within the development team. Crafting a game diverges significantly from filmmaking, and given the lengthy wait for a new Elder Scrolls title, he opined, “Ending on a down note could alienate the audience after such a prolonged anticipation. That’s not an ideal conclusion for the players.”

Insights from Kuhlmann shed light on the challenges ahead for The Elder Scrolls VI, especially as anticipation has only intensified since its premature announcement back in 2018. Now that Starfield launch is behind Bethesda, the focus on Elder Scrolls has reignited, yet insiders confirm that development is still “a long way off, ”with Howard and others remaining cautiously optimistic but vague about the status.

While Kuhlmann’s vision for an “Empire Strikes Back”style narrative might not resonate widely, it reflects the overwhelming expectations placed upon the game. Former Bethesda artist Nate Purkeypile summarizes this dilemma perfectly, describing it as a “no-win”scenario for the studio as they seek to satisfy a fervent fanbase.

Source&Images