Bethesda Softworks has two major online titles set within its most popular franchises, but arguably only one of these titles is really worth the time. While Bethesda Game Studios has garnered a lot of controversy with its handling ofFallout 76, ZeniMax Online Studios seems to be knocking it out of the park when it comes toThe Elder Scrolls Online. Both titles had huge potential as they took popular singleplayer franchises into the online space, but the way that Bethesda has handledFallout 76has prevented it from being the best that it can be.
Fallout 76proved to be controversialfrom the minute it was announced, and the studio seems to have doubled down on it ever since. ZeniMax Online Studios seems like it has been committed to improving onThe Elder Scrolls Onlinesince launch, but it feels like Bethesda Game Studios has little interest in doing the same forFallout 76. It almost feels like a lot of the major decisions that the studio make are in direct contrast to what the player base wants, and it makes it feel like the game would have been in a much better state if ZeniMax Online Studios had taken the reins.
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Fallout 76’s Updates Have Been Lackluster
Fallout 76was not well receivedupon release, and that has not really changed since. The game stripped out much of what madeFalloutgames popular, and that caused it to get lambasted by critics. There were no NPCs, there was not much of a story, and the gameplay mechanics were very lackluster. The game was also marred with technical problems, it looked pretty dated, and it was just an overall weakFalloutexperience.
Bethesda Game Studios did not abandon the game, but many of its decisions have shrouded the game in even more controversy. The studio added NPCs to the game through its majorWastelandersupdate, and that helped bring the experience closer to a singleplayerFalloutgame. However, the rest of the game’s problems overshadowed what could have been a cool addition to the game. Most of the updates have only tweaked certain elements, added modes, or introduced new microtransactions.
One of the biggest issues ofFallout 76is the amount of microtransactionsthat are present, and Bethesda has only increased that amount since launch. The game has countless purchasable in-game cosmetics that players can buy through the Atomic shop, and many of these items can get pretty expensive. Some of these cosmetics also seem to offer gameplay advantages, and that has made some players feel likeFallout 76has a bit of a pay-to-win model.
The studio also introducedtheFallout 1stsubscription servicewhich allows players to play the game in private servers, gives them monthly atoms and exclusive cosmetics, and provides significant gameplay advantages like unlimited storage for crafting materials. While these transactions may be common for online games, the lack of interesting content forFallout 76has made these transactions look pretty bad. For some players, it gives off the appearance thatFallout 76exists just to pull in some money rather than as a means to give players an engagingFalloutadventure.
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The Elder Scrolls Online Has Given Fans a Fully Realized Tamriel
WhileFallout 76seems to go from one controversy to the next,The Elder Scrolls Onlinehas seen a major turnaroundsince it launched in 2014. It was met with pretty mixed reviews when it came out, but ZeniMax Online Studios seems committed to making it the best that it can be. The game has received numerous updates that have not only improved the base systems, but have also added numerous locales for players to explore across Tamriel. It has allowedElder Scrollsfans to explore much of the fantasy world that they have fallen in love with over the years, and ZeniMax is showing no signs of slowing down.
Tamriel Unlimitedwas the major turning pointforThe Elder Scrolls Online, and the game has not looked back. The need for a subscription was removed, and the game was opened up to the masses. While a classic MMO subscription still exists, anyone can jump on an experience the base game at no extra charge. The base game offers so much engaging content forThe Elder Scrollsfans to enjoy, and the DLCs have made the game even stronger.
There are also numerous microtransactions withinThe Elder Scrolls Online, and the membership does give players some big gameplay advantages. However,the core gameplay ofThe Elder Scrolls Onlineis in a better spot thanFallout 76is. The major updates add to the game considerably, and ZeniMax Online Studios has given players many reasons to keep coming back for more. It feels like the studio wants to make the largestElder Scrollstitle out there, and it seems like the microtransactions exist to support the longevity of the game rather than to just pull money from players.
ZeniMax Online Studios seems to be listening to its player base, and it seems like the studio is on a mission toput all of Tamriel at fans' fingertips. Bethesda Game Studios, on the other hand, seems to be doubling down on the most controversial parts ofFallout 76, and the updates have done little to liven up the game. There is a very large difference between how these two studios have handled these major IPs, and the divide is only getting larger.
Fallout 76may have been in a much better spot today if ZeniMax Online Studios had handled it from the get-go, but it is impossible to go back and change the past.Fallout 76seems like a far cry from whatFalloutfans would have wanted from an online game, but maybe Bethesda can still turn it around. The approach would need to change drastically, but if ZeniMax can improveThe Elder Scrolls Onlineso drastically, then Bethesda should be able to replicate that success.
Fallout 76is available now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
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