Revisiting Our Dream Features for Elder Scrolls 6: A 14-Year Lookback

Remember back in 2012 when we had our wild wishlist for Elder Scrolls 6? Well, it’s been 14 years since then, and it’s time to reflect on those dreams and see how they stack up against what we actually got. It was just a few months after Skyrim took the world by storm, and who would have thought we’d still be eagerly waiting for TES 6, with its release now set for 2026—talk about a long wait!

The original wishlist, penned in the spirit of an “Armchair Designer,” was filled with some pretty ambitious ideas. Here’s a quick recap of what we were hoping for back then:

• A time skip of over 200 years, taking us back to the Iliac Bay region from Daggerfall—2:1 odds.
• Leaving Tamriel behind for the mysterious continent of Akavir—50:1 odds.
• Bringing back Morrowind’s tough NPC permadeath and more reactive characters—100:1 odds.
• Keeping the map size but enhancing it with new game-changing systems like Oblivion Gates—10:1 odds.
• Crafting a companion system reminiscent of BioWare’s iconic party dynamics—18:1 odds.
• Incorporating larger-scale battles with tactical squad gameplay—14:1 odds.
• Revamping stealth mechanics to create a more immersive experience—14:1 odds.
• Introducing a new magic system inspired by D&D Warlocks that has lasting consequences—70:1 odds.
• Adding movement mechanics similar to Dishonored or Mirror’s Edge—150:1 odds.
• And hey, even a social-sharing feature for players to connect over their adventures—4:1 odds.

Looking back, some of these ideas were pretty out there, especially that last one! Back then, the internet was a different beast, and the concept of sharing game moments wasn’t as mainstream. Still, many of these ideas resonate with what we’ve seen in modern games, like photo modes that allow players to showcase their epic moments.

Fast forward to today, and it seems like some of our wishes have sprinkled into other Bethesda titles. Fallout 4 and Starfield, for example, introduced companion systems that mimic that beloved BioWare vibe we craved. While squad tactics are still on the wishlist, Bethesda has dabbled with new mechanics, like the settlement building in Fallout 4.

As a longtime fan, I can’t help but wish for the same rich flexibility found in Morrowind along with upgraded stealth systems. Bethesda’s design director has a knack for stealth gameplay, and I’d love to see a more refined evolution of that in Elder Scrolls 6.

The idea of exploring Akavir is intriguing! Imagine diving into a colonial narrative filled with diverse cultures and contrasting laws based on who’s in control. It would be fantastic to see how the factions interact and evolve, creating a fresh dynamic that could really breathe life into the Elder Scrolls universe.

So here’s to dreaming big! With Elder Scrolls 6 on the horizon, we can only hope some of these ideas make their way into the game. Until then, let’s keep the hype alive!