Todd Howard’s Update Makes Bethesda Even Worse Than What Rockstar is Doing With GTA 6

Todd Howard has a great reputation in the gaming industry as a game director, who has released groundbreaking franchises like The Elder Scrolls and Fallout. However, his latest venture, Starfield, had a mixed reception upon its release. While some fans found joy in its expansive universe, others criticized it for lacking the polish expected from Bethesda.

However, Former Bethesda employee, Bruce Nesmith noted in an interview that the launch of sci-fi space RPG is similar to the debuts of franchises such as Mass Effect and Assassin’s Creed (Both of them had some hiccups at the start). Despite this potential, Howard’s recent comments have left many fans feeling uneasy about what lies ahead as he said there might be significant delays in updates and upcoming titles.

Todd Howard’s Comments Resembles Rockstar’s GTA 6 Scenario

Bethesda has long been known for its immersive RPGs, but the gap between major releases has been growing, particularly for the renowned franchises. While Rockstar faces a similar issue with its own track record of delays and prolonged development cycles, Howard’s recent remarks signal a worrying trend for a studio that has already faced criticism over Starfield‘s mixed reception.

In an interview, Bethesda’s game director Todd Howard dropped a bombshell on fans who are eagerly anticipating new content and updates for Starfield and The Elder Scrolls 6. He said:

There will be some bigger gaps next year. As we look at those big beats for Year 2 that we’re planning, so, we’ll make sure we communicate that to the audience.

This comment seems like both a heads-up and a gentle reminder for fans to manage their expectations. Instead of generating excitement for upcoming releases, Howard appears to be asking players to brace for impact. This approach seems aimed at preemptively managing fan frustration, highlighting that the studio is aware of discontent but may be unwilling or unable to change its development pace.

While Rockstar has kept GTA 6 under wraps for years, revealing little beyond a trailer and a release period (spring 2025), fans are at least accustomed to the company’s strategy of carefully crafting hype through small announcements. In contrast, Howard’s remarks about “bigger gaps” feel less like a calculated marketing strategy and more like an admission of difficulties. It serves as a reminder that even industry giants can falter.

Can Bethesda Recapture Past Glory?

As the gaming community processes this news of delayed content, comparisons to GTA 6 will inevitably arise. However, the key difference lies in how each company engages with its audience. Rockstar’s silence may frustrate fans, but it leaves room for speculation and excitement.

On the other hand, Howard’s comments feel like a straightforward acknowledgment of potential delays without the assurance that the final product will capture players’ imaginations, especially since Starfield has yet to garner widespread acclaim.

The recent DLC release did not resonate well with most fans, as it only introduces a few planets, and all the quests are focused on them. This has limited the scope of exploration that players expect from a space-exploration game. Moreover, the DLC lacks sufficient quests (very few hours of content), leaving players yearning for more content.

As players await further updates from Bethesda, there is hope that the studio will rebound and deliver on its promises. If any studio has the potential to make a grand comeback, it’s Bethesda. However, it appears that players will need to exercise patience with their expectations.

In the end, it is frustrating to wait for significant updates or new releases but if the studio can release new titles like The Elder Scrolls 6 and future iterations of Starfield with compelling narratives and refined mechanics, it will clear most fan’s doubts.

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