Xboxhas had quite an eventful generation so far with the Bethesda acquisition, multiple exclusivity deals, and a consistently growing library of Xbox Game Pass titles.Xboxhas also taken a vastly different approach towards the games it’s making this generation, the audience it’s targeting, and how it’s making these games available to the consumer. While there are plenty of plausible explanations for Xbox’s drastically different approach to this generation, three of its highly anticipated games -Avowed,Fable, andThe Elder Scrolls 6 -answer much of what Xbox is striving for in the ninth generation of video games consoles.
WhereasFableandThe Elder Scrolls 6are new entries in two of the most beloved RPG franchises,Avowedis a brand new IP with endless possibilities and high expectations. What’s common between them is that they are all AAA western RPGs currently in development at some of the most reputable game development studios in the world, with all brought together under the Xbox banner. While it’s too early to predict how these games will turn out to be, their eventual releases may change the image of the Xbox brand fans currently know.
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How Avowed, Fable, and The Elder Scrolls 6 Represents This Generation of Xbox
The original Xbox was home to classic western RPGs likeStar Wars Knights of the Old Republic 2,Fable, andThe Elder Scrolls 3 Morrowind, developed respectively by Obsidian Entertainment, Big Blue Box Studios/Lionhead Studios, and Bethesda Game Studios. Two decades later, with the exception of Big Blue Box Studios and Lionhead studios, these crowning RPG studios are now collaborating with Xbox yet again, though this time as part ofXbox’s first-party lineup.
The fact that Obsidian Entertainment, Playground Games, and Bethesda Game Studios are now part of Xbox Game Studios may not be a coincidence. Xbox’s aim of reinvigoratingclassic western RPGswhile also paving the way for brand new IPs for its latest generation of consoles may have a lot to do with replicating the success and popularity of the original Xbox.
This is one aspect where PlayStation and Xbox take different paths this generation. Where PlayStation remains primarily focused on making blockbustersingle-player action-adventure titles, the likes of which made PS4 so successful, Xbox is looking to once again become the house of western RPGs. This doesn’t mean that RPGs are Xbox’s only focus this generation, but the fact that so many of its currently announced projects are RPGs says a lot about the direction Xbox is seemingly headed.
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Avowed, Fable, and The Elder Scrolls 6 will Solidify Xbox as the House of Western RPGs
Avowed,Fable, andThe Elder Scrolls 6are not just three of the most highly anticipated Xbox exclusive western RPGs, but they are three completely unique RPGs presumably offering hundreds of hours of gameplay.Avowed’s reveal trailer may have given the impression that it is Obsidian’s version ofSkyrim, though Xbox head Phil Spencer has since then confirmed thatAvowedis very different fromThe Elder Scrolls. Since Xbox also owns Bethesda now, which ownsThe Elder Scrolls, it would be absurd if bothAvowedandThe Elder Scrolls 6offer gameplay and story experiences that are too similar.
WhileAvowedcould be a more hardcore RPG with a multitude of choices and branching narratives,Fablecould be a lighter, more accessible RPG experience. TheFablereboot is Playground games' first venture into the RPG genre, but the studio’s past experiences with open-world games is a sign thatFableis in good hands.Fableis using the ForzaTech engine, and ifForza Horizon 5is any indication,Fablecould be the best-looking game on Xbox Series X when it finally arrives. Chances are thatAvowedandThe Elder Scrolls 6will be traditional single-player experiences, whereasFablecould shake things up with the addition of co-op and other online features. Playground Games' experience with seamless multiplayer integration shouldn’t make the addition of online modes inFablethat surprising.
The Elder Scrolls 6is one of the most anticipated video games currently in development. The sixth mainline installment in Bethesda’s fantasy RPG series is still years away from releasing and could be the perfect way to conclude the Xbox Series X/S generation. While the last twoElder Scrollsgames are on PlayStation systems, chances are thatElder Scrolls 6will be an Xbox exclusive, at least if the latest report from notable game journalist Jeff Grubb is any indication. LikeMorrowind,Oblivion, andSkyrimbefore it,The Elder Scrolls 6could be the next evolution in the western RPG space. With Xbox’s resources and the advantage of shipping on exclusive platforms,The Elder Scrolls 6could meet its unprecedented expectations.
WhileAvowed, Fable, andThe Elder Scrolls 6could be the ultimate roleplaying experiences on Xbox this generation, there are plenty more games in store to solidify Xbox as the house of western RPGs.Starfield, Bethesda Game Studio’s first new IP in 25 years, is a sci-fi RPG releasing exclusively on Xbox Series X/S and PC in 2022. Bethesda claimsStarfieldisSkyrimin space, which has only heightened fans' expectations. On the other hand, Obsidian is proving to be PlayStation’s Insomniac, simultaneously working onGrounded,The Outer Worlds 2, and an unannounced project outside ofAvowed.
While all of this seems to indicate an overwhelming number of AAA budget western RPG headed to the Xbox ecosystem this generation, it seems the company has no intention of stopping there. According to notable game journalist Jez Corden,IO Interactive is working on a AAA fantasy RPG for Xbox, codenamedProject Dragon. Keeping IO’s previous projects in mind,Project Dragoncould be a sandbox-style gameplay-driven RPG akin to the canceled PlatinumGames titleScalebound.
Another big rumor suggests that FromSoftware is working on a sci-fi RPG exclusively for Xbox.FromSoftwarehas made Xbox exclusive titles likeChromehoundsandNinja Bladein the past, so this rumored collaboration doesn’t sound too far-fetched. WithAvowed,Fable, andThe Elder Scrolls 6leading the charge, and other intriguing projects rumored to be in the works, Xbox’s lineup of AAA budget RPGs seem too good to be true. While most of these titles may not release anytime soon, the fact that they are happening should keepXboxfans excited for the time being.
