Bethesda Game Studios shortly after the release of Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion in early 2006 stated they would never make an online experience for the Elder Scrolls series. The logic behind this statement was because Bethesda's focus has always been on the single player experience and making deep, impactful, detailed, and truly epic scenarios for the single hero to experience. However, this statement is only partially true. ZeniMax Media (parent company to Bethesda) created ZeniMax Online Studios back in 2007 to start creating massively multiplayer online games for the company in the future. Knowledge is limited, as ZeniMax Online is keeping information tight. But, we do know that ZeniMax Online is working on an upcoming MMOG for the company, and we also know ZeniMax has access to Bethesda Game Studios' best IP's [The Elder Scrolls series and Fallout (Interplay (creators of the Fallout IP) fought for the rights to make a Fallout MMO, which will be going into beta in 2012. So this throws a Fallout MMO made by ZeniMax Online out the window. You can sign up for beta if you are interested on Interplay's official Fallout MMO website)]. I will post the entire FAQ from ZeniMax Online's official website to further show all the hints and suggestions of an Elder Scrolls MMO.

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FAQ on ZeniMax Online
http://zenimaxonline.com/faq.html

Who are you guys?

We're the best kept secret in the gaming industry… But, seriously, we're the online game development studio of ZeniMax Media, who also owns Bethesda Softworks. So think of us as the multiplayer-focused Bethesda Softworks.

Our President was one of the founders of Mythic Entertainment and was the producer of Dark Age of Camelot and lots of other titles there. Our team is made of many other people who worked at Mythic, as well as NCsoft, Firaxis, Sony Online, EA, and Bethesda Softworks. ZeniMax Online's staff had leadership roles on popular MMOGs like Dark Age of Camelot, Warhammer Online, Star Wars: Galaxies, Ultima Online, and The Sims Online.

Suffice it to say, we are very experienced and are looking forward to making the best MMOGs possible.


Where are you located?

We are in Hunt Valley, Maryland - one of the leading hubs of game development in the USA. We are located close to Firaxis, Big Huge Games, Day 1 Studios, and BreakAway. Mythic Entertainment and Bethesda Softworks are about an hour and a half away. Hunt Valley is just north of Baltimore, MD, in the Baltimore-Washington Metro area. We're far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the city to be peaceful and quiet, but close enough that we can live and/or go out in the cities and still make it to work on time.

The ZeniMax Online offices are within about an hour's drive from Washington, DC and all its museums; even closer to Baltimore, a great place to go out and have fun - not to mention Gettysburg Battlefield, southern Pennsylvania, Annapolis, horse racing, bike riding, and all kinds of other recreation. It's a great place to live and work; where you see all four seasons. You can drive a couple of hours east in the summer and go to the beach, or a couple of hours west in the winter to go skiing.


What are you working on now?

We really can't say. We're just not ready to say anything specifically about the title that we are developing except to say that it is a massive AAA quality MMOG title that we think will challenge the current market leaders.


What's different about ZeniMax Online? Why would I want to work there?

Well, as we're under the same corporate umbrella as Bethesda Softworks, we have access to some of gaming's best known IP, as well as a well-funded stable publisher. We are focusing solely on MMOGs, and are staffing the studio with experts in online gaming.


What's really different about ZeniMax Online?

We have a clear focus and direction about what we're trying to achieve. We have a team that's dedicated to clear decision-making and implementing the proper strategy. This sounds like something any studio will say, but we're serious about it.

We're also serious about having a work environment that makes you want to come to work in the morning - one that makes you interested in what you're doing and with a minimum of strife and discord.

We run our studio using agile management techniques (specifically SCRUM) that encourage cross-team communication and cooperation - as well as daily meetings with your coworkers that allow everyone (not just managers) to spot problems as soon as they crop up.


Anything else?

Our project is fully funded from now until launch, which is a luxury unheard of in the gaming industry. With our corporate structure, we're very stable and can concentrate on making games instead of raising money.


How are you paying for this?

ZeniMax Media recently announced a $300 million investment from Providence Equity Partners, and of course the massive success of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and Fallout 3 only adds to the assets that helped fund ZeniMax Online. Suffice it to say, we're covered.


Do you have a publisher?

Yes, Bethesda Softworks will distribute our titles worldwide via their offices in North America, Europe, and Japan.


How exactly are you related to Bethesda Softworks again?

ZeniMax Media owns both Bethesda Softworks as well as ZeniMax Online Studios. Bethesda makes AAA console-oriented titles, and ZeniMax Online (us!) makes MMOGs. Because we are all inside the same corporate structure, we share IP and because our offices are only about an hour apart, we can work closely with Bethesda's staff.


What's it like working at ZeniMax Online?

It's great to work on a project that has the chance to be a top-tier bestseller - and to do that with a group of other game developers that are fun to work with and dedicated to excellence. We have a great office space, very peaceful and open, almost-tame deer just outside our windows (yes, the content team has named them all, even the two fawns), and within easy walking distance to Hunt Valley Town Center just next door.


What do you look for in prospective employees?

First and foremost, an attitude that we know we can work with. We are very careful about staffing the team, and take pains to ensure that we hire those that we know we can work with. Of course we also expect excellence in any applicant's chosen field of expertise.
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We also have confirmed reports that Bethesda Game Studios is working on the next Fallout game (Fallout 4 which will be a true sequel to Fallout 3). Todd Howard suggests the new Fallout title will be released by 2012 at the latest, so it's clear Bethesda Softworks won't be working on an Elder Scrolls title directly. Keep in mind this is merely a rumor and speculation on a series of convenient events. There is no confirmation there is an Elder Scrolls Online in the making. However, it wouldn't be a surprise if ZeniMax/Bethesda were to try and pull something like this, considering BioWare is now entering the MMO market with SWTOR and Elder Scrolls is Bethesda's own created IP. If anyone else finds any evidence confirming an Elder Scrolls MMO, feel free to post. Whatever this MMO is in development, we will find out eventually what ZeniMax Online is working on.

An Elder Scrolls MMO is definitely a possibility, but I wouldn't really call it THE next Elder Scrolls game. It would be like what FNV is to the Fallout series. We should still expect another regular Elder Scrolls game for the 5th installment.

And where do you have confirmed reports of a next Fallout game? Do you have any sources for that?

It's true that there probably will be an Elder Scrolls MMO, of course made by Zenimax Online. But not the 'next' Elder Scrolls game. At least not as in The Elder Scrolls V. I wonder what it would be called though, maybe World of Elder Scrolls or ElderCraft.

After reading the title I almost swallowed my own tongue and puked up my guts...

what



Of course not. Bethesda Softworks is just a publisher.

Actually this is not true. FNV was developed by Obsidian Entertainment (not related to ZeniMax Inc in any way, shape, or form). We also know that Bethesda Softworks has one studio where they focus on making single player/console/PC games. Right now, Bethesda is developing Fallout 4, which will be released by 2012 at the latest. I don't have a direct source to where Todd Howard talked about Fallout 4, but here is the article I found it in.

http://leakerz.net/wp/2010/10/19/is-bethesda-working-on-an-elder-scrolls-mmo/

this thread is as gross as the contentents of the underfright matrons stomach

Bethesda "Game Studios" is working on Fallout 4. I also meant to say Bethesda Game Studios, not Softworks.

That would be Bethesda Game Studios your talking about. And what I meant was that they would have another studio make the MMO, just like they did with Fallout NV (having another studio make the game).

There has not been a statement made from BGS on which game they are developing right now. They've talked about developing a game, but have not announced which game it is.

Just because it can exist doesn't mean it should.
I cannot see a Good game coming from this. I mean there is no one good MMO on the market in however long they have been around.

I just hope for a Fallout MMO, so they don't mess with TES. Would keep the Fallout fans occupied while they deliver TES V or something...

I would agree with you. However, the MMO industry is rapidly evolving and changing. BioWare is now working on the highly-anticipated Star Wars: The Old Republic, which will add the fourth pillar of story to the MMO space. Why wouldn't Bethesda also get involved and make an MMO based off their best IP? Especially when they have $300 million or more to throw at the project, who wouldn't want an Elder Scrolls where one could play and quest with others on the continent of Tamriel?

TES is supposed to be an escape from obnoxious pricks and an experience where people can relax there's no way in hell any of that is possible when some loser is running around with the name Ipwnnoobz or somethin stupid like that.

It's highly unlikely that BGS is working on Fallout 4. I love Fallout, you love Fallout, we all love Fallout. But there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. I just don't see them working on FO3, having Obsidian making FNV, and then making FO4. If BGS is actually making a game, it would most likely either be Elder Scrolls V, or something that is not Fallout 4.

Not going to happen. As I suggested, Interplay (creators of the Fallout IP) fought for the rights from Bethesda to make a Fallout Online (MMORPG). The website is listed to sign up for the beta below. This more or less confirms that ZeniMax Online will not be making a Fallout MMO, and more than likely will make an Elder Scrolls Online. This doesn't necessarily mean there won't be an Elder Scrolls V however...

http://fallout-on-line.com/

Here are some rumors for a TES:V:

http://blog.machinima.com/insidegaming/2010/11/23/rumor-bethesda-working-on-elder-scrolls-v/

http://www.loudmouthedgamers.com/blog/2010/11/27/rumor-elder-scrolls-v

http://www.devicemag.com/2010/11/23/elder-scrolls-5-unofficially-confirmed/

Another article specifically about the possible TES MMO

http://systemlink.gamersguidetolife.com/2010/10/bethesdazenimax-working-on-mmo-fantasy.html

I completely agree with you friend. There would have to be active GMs regulating servers and/or RP servers specifically for the purpose of maintaining a professional and immersive environment. All I'm suggesting is the possibilities for such a game are endless, especially when it's TES.

Exactly why I hate MMOs. They are Cesspools of failure.
Yes, it would be a cool idea, to quest with some friends, but when it is an MMO, the kiddies,trolls and general morons come out. I really don't want to walk into the Imperial city, just to be bombarded by walls of text with each person either being racist, selling some crappy item for more than its worth or just idiotic garbage. I don't want to play a game with people who are named "xxXpwnag3toall[insert '1337' version of racial slur here]Xxx 5795847"
Some of us play for the immersion aspect, that, and modding would not be possible at all.

Perhaps. There are a few possibilities we need to consider:
1. Bethesda is making TES:V as well as Fallout 4 and ZeniMax Online is making TES MMO
2. Bethesda is making TES:V or Fallout 4 and ZeniMax Online is is making TES MMO
3. Regardless of what Bethesda is making, ZeniMax Online is making an MMO using an IP different from TES

More than likely all projects would be in the works (as well as TES MMO). How exactly involved Bethesda would be in the development of TES:V and Fallout 4 is a completely different issue to consider.

I'm a console gamer and we all know this wouldn't be on a console also i'm not into the idea of having to pay to play a game I already paid for at the store.

I'm in the same boat, yet I'm also a member of x-box live

This, and I'd also add usually boring quests and a game that encourages you to grind and farm more than anything else. It usually also have a bad gameplay.

Me to.

Bethesda Game Studios (Todd) has stated that they have a game that is in full production, and has a lot of content. They've also stated that they have another game that is in pre-production. My guess is TES:V is in full production, with Fallout 4 in pre-production. Whatever MMO Zenimax is working on though I don't know. I would guess it could be and Elder Scrolls one but it could just as likely be something completely different. All we know is that it isn't a Fallout MMO.

Believe me, I do agree with you. There would be a lot of serious issues ZeniMax Online would need to consider when tackling such a gigantic task (graphics, community, bugs/glitches, the list goes on and on). What we do know is that this MMO project is funded and paid for and that this has been under wraps for quite some time. We also know from Bethesda (Daggerfall and Morrowind in particular) that their games are practically MMOGs already. Now if they could just add players, yet maintain all the goodness, lore, and immersion of the single player experience, we are talking about a mega hit here. I'm not saying it will be easy, and more than likely there will be downsides. But, it's definitely something that is interesting and could have the potential to be the next great thing coming out of Bethesda.

Feel free to discuss this in our open multiplayer thread:
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1119156-official-tes-multiplayer-thread/page__st__20__p__16695694__hl__multiplayer__fromsearch__1&#entry16695694