Bethesda's Big Three: Starfield Joins the Ranks of Fallout and Elder Scrolls

A notable development in the gaming landscape is the recognition of Bethesda Game Studio's trio of major role-playing games. This includes Fallout, Elder Scrolls, and now Starfield, which is carving out its own dedicated fan community.

In a conversation with GamesRadar+ before the release of Starfield's Shattered Space expansion, design director Emil Pagliarulo emphasized that the sci-fi adventure has established a distinct identity and now stands alongside Fallout and Elder Scrolls. While Starfield introduced changes to the traditional Bethesda approach, which sparked lively discussions, Pagliarulo believes it still embodies the essence that the studio is renowned for.

He described the game as occupying a special niche, noting that it may not resonate with everyone, but that’s the nature of creating a new intellectual property from scratch. The experience offered through Starfield is undoubtedly unique on consoles. Pagliarulo highlighted that the game should not be compared simply as superior or inferior to others, but rather as a distinct offering blending immersive elements, action, and role-playing aspects characteristic of Bethesda.

Pagliarulo pointed out that while Starfield diverges from traditional Bethesda RPGs—exemplified by Skyrim's expansive world being replaced by numerous procedurally generated planets—this innovation has actually attracted a fresh audience. He articulated that Starfield is indeed cultivating its own unique community, which is substantial and expanding.

The journey of developing a completely new series after many years posed risks for the studio, especially with the anticipation surrounding The Elder Scrolls 6 looming above. However, the effort seems to have been rewarding, allowing the studio to establish a stable foundation on three key titles.

Pagliarulo elaborated that Bethesda once felt synonymous primarily with Elder Scrolls, later evolving into a studio recognized for both Elder Scrolls and Fallout. Currently, it encompasses Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and Starfield, forming what he terms the studio’s big three. Todd Howard, the director, had hinted at ambitious future developments for Starfield, suggesting that annual story expansions could be on the horizon. Pagliarulo reinforced that this is simply the beginning of what lies ahead.

The Bethesda veteran expressed that Starfield may well be regarded as the finest game the studio has produced to date.