Summary
One of the ideas thatStarfieldfeatured would be an amazing asset if it is also added toThe Elder Scrolls 6. While most features ofThe Elder Scrolls 6will likely be derived from pastElder Scrollstitles, they aren’t the only valid source of inspiration for the game.Starfieldis Bethesda’s most recent project, and while not as big a name, it had its fair share of good ideas.The Elder Scrolls 6has built up a lot of hype that it has to live up to, and it’s possible thatStarfieldcould offer some inspiration to do so.
Considering thatStarfield’s players are exploring space, it’s safe to say that it andThe Elder Scrollsare worlds apart. In terms of scale, setting, and tech level, the two games are dramatically different. However, with both being Bethesda RPGs, there are still several common threads between the two. The player has a lot of freedom to create their protagonist in both games, from their natural skills to their choice of weapons and armor. While the player does have to play as a human inStarfield, they still have plenty of choices elsewhere, including a few thatThe Elder Scrolls 6could learn from.
Starfield’s Character Backgrounds Could Be a Blueprint For Elder Scrolls 6
Starfield’s Backgrounds Add a Lot to the Player Character
A notable area of character creation ischoosing a background inStarfield. Each potential background offers a few sentences regarding the protagonist’s life prior to the game’s events, fleshing out their backstory a little more. In addition, each background comes with a set of skills that will automatically have their first tier unlocked, giving the player a small head start on their potential build. There are 21 backgrounds to choose from, so players are likely to find one that fits with the idea of their character. It’s a feature that helps to add more character to the protagonist at the outset.
In addition to backgrounds, many ofStarfield’s optional traits shed light on the protagonist’s possible backstory, such as Kid Stuff or Alien DNA.
Elder Scroll 6 Could Get Plenty of Use From Starfield’s Backgrounds
Adding a feature similar toStarfield’s backgrounds could be a major boost forElder Scrolls 6’s character creation. InSkyrim, character creation was restricted solely to the character’s appearance. The only additional features were the unique natural abilities of the player’s chosen race, such as a Nord’s cold resistance or High Elf’s extra Magicka. On one hand, this gives the player the freedom to decide that their Dragonborn’s background is whatever they desire. However,Starfield’s approach of giving the player starting skills based on their background is a good mechanic for character creation, and a similar system could work inThe Elder Scrolls 6.
Past Elder Scrolls Games Included Similar Character-Altering Features
Something similar to backgrounds wouldn’t even be new territory forThe Elder Scrolls. For past examples ofcharacter creation inThe Elder Scrolls,OblivionandMorrowindfeatured birthsigns and classes that the player chose at creation, modifying their starting stats and abilities. Bringing that kind of design back inThe Elder Scrolls 6would once again give players a small push toward their eventual builds. This could be even better if, likeOblivion’s birthsigns, the player’s choice could provide radical changes to the character that wouldn’t be available otherwise. It could be the key to making the new protagonist far more exciting.
Adding character backgrounds toStarfieldwas a great move, and Bethesda shouldn’t leave the idea behind. One of the best ways toexpandElder Scrolls 6’s character creationwould be through its own take on that feature. Whether it’s through a return of birthsigns and classes, a variant ofStarfield’s backgrounds, or some combination of the two, it could give players some more consequential options when it comes to designing their protagonist.The Elder Scrolls 6will hopefully take some notes fromStarfield’s character creation in that sense.
