Bethesda Games: The Untold Truth Behind Their Mysterious Bugs
Bethesda's Pete Hinest delves into the reasons behind the notorious bug-ridden reputation of the studio's titles, shedding light on the factors influencing their games like Starfield and Skyrim
Highlights
Bethesda's reputation for buggy games has grown more toxic in recent years, causing some fans to wait for patches before playing at launch.
Bethesda fully embraces the chaos of bugs in its games, disregarding the negative reputation associated with it. They see bugs as a byproduct of their commitment to player freedom and creative experimentation.
Although bugs that harm the gameplay are not tolerated, Bethesda is open to retaining bugs that enhance the player's experience. This requires carefully walking the fine line between potential risks and ensuring maximum enjoyment.
Pete Hines, of Bethesda, recently discussed the reason behind the studio's reputation for releasing buggy games like The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and Starfield. While it is undeniable that Bethesda Game Studios has created some highly successful games, they also carry a negative reputation. Some Bethesda fans even refuse to play their games at launch, opting to wait for patches to fix the bugs. Bethesda is aware of their reputation, and Hines explains that there is a valid explanation for it.
Although bugs in Bethesda games have been present for a long time, the negative reputation has intensified in recent years. The Elder Scrolls started as a niche RPG in the 1990s and grew into a massive project with the release of Morrowind in 2002. However, it was when Bethesda shifted their focus to consoles with Oblivion in 2006 that polishing and bug-fixing became more prominent. This could be attributed to slower update schedules or console players being less tolerant of bugs. The release of Fallout 76 in 2018, a game largely developed by a separate studio called Bethesda Game Studios Austin, further exacerbated the negativity surrounding the company.
Pete Hines, the head of global publishing at Bethesda, acknowledges that the studio's developers "embrace the chaos." While the unintended reputation of having numerous bugs is apparent, it is viewed as a result of Bethesda Game Studios' commitment to creative experimentation. Hines explains, "Our focus is on allowing players the freedom to explore," implying that pushing the boundaries of player freedom in video games often leads to unforeseen consequences.
Bethesda wants players to have a good experience with its games, and bugs that hinder that experience are not acceptable. However, bugs that do not impact the overall gameplay are not a priority for Bethesda.
Before Starfield's early access launch, there were concerns about the extent of bugs in the game. However, reviews have shown that Starfield is more polished than anticipated. While there are still some bugs present, this aligns with Hines' comments and doesn't come as a big surprise. Hines even mentioned a bug involving a shark in an elevator, which he jokingly requested to be kept in the game, although he assumes it was likely removed.
Although Hines makes a valid point about certain bugs from Bethesda Game Studios being embraced by the community and adding enjoyment to games, it is important to consider the potential risks. It is reassuring for Starfield players to know that Bethesda has reportedly abandoned its culture of crunch, ensuring that games like Starfield are given sufficient time to be developed according to Bethesda's vision, despite the presence of bugs.
