Skyrim’s Co-Lead Designer Envisioned The Elder Scrolls VI as a Dark Sequel

Taylor Keatsman

ago 2 hours

Skyrim’s Co-Lead Designer Envisioned The Elder Scrolls VI as a Dark Sequel

Kurt Kuhlmann, a seasoned designer at Bethesda Game Studios, spent two decades contributing to significant projects. He served as the co-lead designer for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, one of the studio’s most acclaimed titles. In an interview, he shared insights about his vision for The Elder Scrolls VI and the reasons behind his departure from Bethesda in 2023.

Kuhlmann’s Vision for The Elder Scrolls VI

Kuhlmann had aspirations of leading The Elder Scrolls VI after his success with Skyrim. Although he was never officially offered the position, he revealed that Todd Howard, the head of Bethesda, had verbally suggested he would take on the lead role following Skyrim’s release. Kuhlmann noted that if the studio had not pursued projects like Fallout 76 and Starfield, fans might have seen The Elder Scrolls VI much earlier.

Skyrim Release: Considered one of Bethesda’s greatest hits.
Lead Designer Aspirations: Kuhlmann expressed a desire to lead TES VI, inspired by his success.
Impact of Other Projects: Delay due to the development of Fallout 76 and Starfield.

Kuhlmann’s Unique Narrative Idea

Kuhlmann envisioned The Elder Scrolls VI as a darker sequel, akin to “The Empire Strikes Back.” He imagined a plot where the Thalmor, a group of elven supremacists, appeared to be winning by the story’s end, leaving players with a cliffhanger that would set the stage for The Elder Scrolls VII. This approach would create an emotional investment in the narrative, albeit with the risk of disappointing players eager for a resolution.

Story Concept: Thalmor triumph, leading to a cliffhanger conclusion.
Player Experience: Balancing hope with potential dissatisfaction.

Departure from Bethesda

Kuhlmann left Bethesda in 2023 due to changing studio dynamics and differing visions for the future. He felt that the studio’s growing structure was not compatible with his preferred creative processes. His departure marked the end of a significant chapter for him, especially as he had devoted years to the franchise.

Current Status of The Elder Scrolls VI

Since its announcement in 2018, there has been little news regarding The Elder Scrolls VI. With Starfield’s release, Bethesda’s focus seems to be shifting back to the much-anticipated sequel. However, according to Howard and other executives, development is still at an early stage.

Looking Ahead

Although Kuhlmann’s narrative vision may not align with the current direction at Bethesda, it brings to light the challenges the studio faces. Artists and designers like Kuhlmann bring valuable perspectives that influence game development. Despite the uncertain future of The Elder Scrolls VI, fans remain eager for updates.