Former Bethesda Veteran Critiques Desire for ‘Morrowind’ and Elder Scrolls Remasters
A former Bethesda developer has raised questions about the potential for a remaster of the iconic game Morrowind, part of The Elder Scrolls series. Bruce Nesmith, who worked at Bethesda for over 17 years and left in 2021, expressed skepticism regarding gaming nostalgia for older titles, particularly Morrowind, which was released more than 20 years ago.
Concerns Over Morrowind Remaster
In an interview with Press Box PR, Nesmith highlighted several reasons Morrowind is unlikely to be remastered. He noted that the original source code for the game might not exist anymore. This is a significant hurdle compared to Oblivion, which Bethesda still had the capability to compile for its recent remaster.
- Original code may no longer exist.
- Compiling old games is more difficult as technology evolves.
Nesmith suggested that many fans might “cringe” when revisiting Morrowind. Although nostalgia plays a crucial role in how players remember older games, he believes the gameplay experience would be jarring. He remarked, “You will cringe” when going back to such an old title.
Wariness About Remakes
The former developer also commented on the Oblivion remaster, acknowledging that while fans forgave its outdated aspects, the further back one goes in gaming history, the more pronounced the issues become. He expressed doubt that Morrowind would hold up as well as players remember.
Nesmith proposed a different approach: instead of a remaster, he suggested a complete remake using modern technology. A rebuild with the Skyrim engine could breathe new life into Morrowind, but such an endeavor would require extensive resources and time—potentially a four-year development cycle.
Exploring New Stories in Morrowind
Rather than remastering Morrowind, Nesmith recommended exploring the region’s lore in a new narrative. He cited various areas, including the giant crab palace, that could inspire fresh stories while avoiding outdated gameplay mechanics.
Potential for Future Titles
Nesmith hinted at the possibility of Morrowind being featured in future projects like The Elder Scrolls 6. He mentioned other regions within the franchise, such as Hammerfell and Summerset Isle, as fitting subjects for exploration.
Moreover, earlier this month, Bethesda’s former Elder Scrolls loremaster shared his own vision for The Elder Scrolls 6 story, hinting at an exciting future for the series.
The landscape around The Elder Scrolls franchise continues to evolve. However, fans are reminded that while nostalgia is powerful, the realities of game design necessitate a careful approach to reviving beloved classics.
