While very few details are known about The Elder Scrolls 6, and fans will likey have to wait until Starfield is released before the game gets a firm release date, there are high expectations of having the game top its groundbreaking predecessor. Not only was Skyrim released with player freedom in mind, but hundreds of community-made mods have been released for the game, giving players even more character customization and personalization choices. Bethesda should take inspiration from these mods and the needs of the modern RPG player while building the system that is designed to create the player’s window into the game.
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How Skyrim Mods Have Expanded Character Customization
The Elder Scrolls franchise has had a long-time habit of throwing players into their character’s shoes before they know who they are. This is partly due to the iconic “prison break” sequences that occur during the opening of almost every game. As Skyrim has gotten older, gamers new to the series are experiencing issues with immersion due to the need for updated character creation and personalization systems. As many seasoned players know, once a player has designed the Last Dragonborn, there are no ways to edit your character unless it’s through equipping items. The lengthy creation process focuses more on anatomy versus personality or backstory.
In the TTRPG sphere, the character creation process of Dungeons and Dragons shows how vital backstory and personality are. Some Skyrim mods like “Character Creation Overhaul” have added diverse races and genders, birth signs, favored attributes, and more, creating a level of immersion that speaks to how far Bethesda can still take the mechanic. Another fantastic mod is “Show Player In Menus,” a brilliant mechanic that allows players to view their player character as they are customizing their equipment, streamlining the process of customization exponentially. These mods also show that players are looking for additions to character customization that simplify the game while adding immersion.
How ES6 Can Improve Character Customization and Personalization
While so many little details could be added to create a more robust character customization system, foundational aspects of the current system in Skyrim need to be overhauled. The Elder Scrolls 6 should include several diverse races and genders that reflect the real world while also being exciting and fun. The game also needs to incorporate the streamlined anatomical sliders seen in modern RPGs, allowing for character-building that doesn’t involve dozens of linear sliders for each tiny aspect of a character’s anatomy. The Elder Scrolls 6 should ultimately update the existing character races, taking a cue from community-made Skyrim mods to allow characters to be distinct.
Given that Fallout 4 is another Bethesda project with immersive character customization that’s relatively recent, The Elder Scrolls 6 may share similarities with it. Still, Bethesda shouldn’t forget that the smallest aspects of character personalization can be the most impactful. Hopefully, players will be able to choose their character’s voice and personality, adding voice acting to create an added level of immersion. The game should also include swatches for equipment, or the ability to show equipment wear and tear. It would be incredible to play an Elder Scrolls game that shows a player’s cuts and bruises, granting the ability to wear those battle scars proudly.
The Elder Scrolls 6 is currently in development.
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