The Rise and Fall of Bethesda (Explained)

Bethesda was once untouchable.

They built some of the most iconic open worlds in gaming history: Skyrim, Oblivion and Fallout 3. A studio defined by handcrafted worlds, player freedom, and unforgettable exploration. So how did they fall so far?

In this video, I break down Bethesda’s decline, from their golden era to the release of Starfield, and explain how a studio that once led the RPG genre lost its identity. We’ll look at the Bethesda blueprint that made them legendary, how it was slowly abandoned, and why monetisation, corporate restructuring, and live-service priorities changed everything.

Using developer interviews, industry quotes, sales trends, and direct comparisons to modern RPGs like The Witcher 3, Baldur’s Gate 3, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, and Elden Ring, this video explores why Bethesda’s falloff deserves to be studied and what other studios can learn from it.

Referenced Articles:

Kurt Kuhlmann - https://www.pcgamer.com/games/the-eld...

Referenced Videos:

Jonah Lobe Interview:    • Why Bethesda Changed After Skyrim - Exclus...  

Julian LeFay -    • RIP Julian LeFay: The Forgotten Genius Beh...  

Ken Rolston -    • Bethesda's Biggest Loss? - Ken Rolston  

Related Playlists:

Bethesda -    • Bethesda  

Starfield -    • Starfield  

Fallout -    • Fallout  

Skyrim -    • Skyrim  

#skyrim #fallout4 #starfield #fallout76 #fallout3