User blog comment:Draevan13/Why the Elder Scrolls ISN'T being dumbed down...much./@comment-45.50.24.111-20161204120253

People here just need to admit that they're into more casual games. TES is objectively being dumbed down if you consider losing features and depth to be dumbing down. Now you can argue that some of that may be necessary in order to appeal to a larger audience and make more money. You're probably right. However, this just makes the story of TES more tragic; a beautiful game series destroyed by its own popularity. To put that statement into context, it was hardcore gamers that saved the TES by fully embracing Morrowind. In doing so, they brought Bethseda back from the edge of bankruptcy and gave them the money they needed to make Oblivion. It was here that Bethseda first began seriously dumbing down the game. First they shelved the lore to make Cyrodiil more appealing to standard fantasy rpg fans who found Morrowinds iconic landscapes too alien (Cyrodiil was originally supposed to be a jungle). They then removed features such like diverse skills, varied weaponry, unique spells, and interfaction relationships. At the same time they added gimmicks like horses, easy fast travel, and the quest compass. Worst of all was the insane level scaling and all these changed combined made the game much easier and thus more accessible to people who wouldn't normally be TES fans. Thus, Bethseda raked in a lot of cash. This general trend continued with Skyrim, only accelerated and what was once a RPG series has became an Action game series with RPG elements.

The above is not an amazing observation. As games become more popular, their original audience becomes smaller. I'd honestly be surprised if 10% of Skyrim players had even tried Morrowind nevermind actually liked it. It is these people the game series will be developed for and thus the game series, from the perspective of the original fans, it only going to get worse. I was sadly viddicated when Fallout 4 came out. Despite being decried by fans of FO3 and New Vegas, it made a killing. TES VI will likely be very similar. The optimistic may say, "well Bethseda will listen to the fans and they'll put back what they took." In a way, you're right. They'll listen to the fans. The millions who bought FO4 and loved it. Like me, you'll have to accept you're no longer part of their core audience.