Former Bethesda executive Pete Hines has revealed candid insights into the initial skepticism that plagued many of the company`s game releases over the years, and why he consistently stood firm in his convictions despite widespread doubt.
In a recent interview, Hines reflected on how industry insiders questioned the viability of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind as an Xbox exclusive. Even more pronounced were the doubts surrounding The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, whose November 11, 2011, launch date coincided perilously close to the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 on November 8, 2011.
“The prevailing sentiment was, `Skyrim can`t possibly survive against Call of Duty. Same launch window. Everyone will be playing Call of Duty. No one will buy your game,`” Hines recalled hearing at the time.
Despite acknowledging the colossal brand power of Call of Duty, Hines remained steadfastly confident that Bethesda had created a “better game” with Skyrim. He wasn`t hesitant to commit significant marketing resources to its promotion.
“I was prepared to challenge them head-on. I would allocate marketing funds against them. I knew I would never spend as much, but I was convinced we could still emerge victorious,” he affirmed.
Indeed, both titles achieved remarkable success in 2011. While Modern Warfare 3 secured the top spot as the best-selling game in the US, Skyrim impressively clinched second place for the year. Over time, Skyrim has surpassed 60 million copies sold globally, cementing its status as one of history`s best-selling games. Although Modern Warfare 3`s final sales figures remain undisclosed, Skyrim`s enduring appeal was certainly bolstered by its numerous ports to various platforms throughout the years.
Hines also remembered similar industry resistance when Bethesda planned to release The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion in March 2006. The conventional wisdom dictated that “nobody releases games in the spring.” However, as Hines proudly stated, “We did just fine.” Oblivion went on to achieve considerable success and remains a beloved title.
Reflecting on his tenure at Bethesda, Hines emphasized that challenging these preconceived notions and ultimately succeeding was “what made it so much fun.” He added, “I believe we excelled at it better than anyone else, judging by the accolades we received, the vast player base we cultivated, and the integrity of our development approach. I aspired to be part of a company where, if anyone peered into our operations, I would feel entirely comfortable with what they saw.”
Pete Hines departed Bethesda following Microsoft`s acquisition of its parent company, ZeniMax, and is now retired. He continues to share his insights and opinions, including his perspectives on services like Xbox Game Pass.