The previous decade was defined by many incredible games, with Skyrim and GTA 5 helping 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 are The Elder Scrolls 6 and Grand Theft Auto 6.
Bethesda releasing Skyrim in 2011, followed by Rockstar Games' latest GTA two 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 with Elder Scrolls 6 and GTA 6.
Development for Elder Scrolls 6 Should Really Start After Starfield
Since Skyrim's release in 2011 fans have been waiting for any news on the next installment, and at E3 2018 Bethesda announced that Elder Scrolls 6 is coming. Little news has cropped up since, though recently Bethesda CEO Todd Howard said his studio's most recent project Starfield is serving as a test of its newest engine before the studio moves on to develop Elder Scrolls 6. This serves as good news that the game will be entering more serious development following Starfield, 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 the MMORPG Fallout 76 infamously 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 about Fallout 4'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 saying Grand Theft Auto 6 has 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 developer Dan Houser leaves Rockstar Games in 2020, as he was responsible for the Grand Theft Auto series.
Nevertheless, fans playing GTA 5 have more information to speculate on what to expect in the coming installment. Those still playing the Diamond Heist Mode in GTA 5 have 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 the GTA series. Returning to a Vice City location or something similar may be the developers hinting at a return to form.
Relevance Through Memes
Although it may sometimes be at the behest of the developers, the fact that memes surrounding Skyrim and GTA 5 have been evolving remains a net positive for both studios. The first meme anyone may recognize from Skyrim is the infamous arrow to the knee line, and Oblivion's, "Stop! You have violated the law!" line also lives on through memes on YouTube - but that's just the tip of the iceberg of Elder Scrolls memes. The most popular meme trend for the Elder Scrolls currently is getting knocked out and waking up at the beginning of Skyrim.
The Grand Theft Auto series has also seen its fair share of memes since GTA 5's release in 2013, and one of them is fans reenacting the scene in Grand Theft Auto 5 when Larmar roasts Franklin. It has come so far that the actors Slink Johnson and Shawn Fonteno reenacted the scene themselves in real-time. The GTA franchise 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 with The Elder Scrolls 6, and has reportedly not even reached production yet, so fans of the series may have to wait a long time until its release. On the bright side, Bethesda's new engine for Starfield will 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 see GTA6 before 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 6 and The Elder Scrolls 6 are in development.