Bethesda Softworks is one of the world’s biggest and best-known game developers, having made a name for itself with series such as Fallout and The Elder Scrolls. Not to mention titles like Deathloop and the upcoming Starfield.
What other games from Bethesda Softworks are worth looking out for? Let’s find out which titles from Bethesda Softworks have attracted the most players.
A brief history of Bethesda Softworks
It was 1986 when Christopher Weaver – a visionary who had worked for NBC, ABC and the US Congress – set out to change the face of the games industry. He founded Bethesda Softworks, a studio born from the passion of MIT graduates and based in the quaint town of Bethesda.
Its first title, Gridiron! (1986), was a hit with the public. Bethesda then tried its hand with EA on the legendary John Madden Football, which ended in a dramatic divorce in court.
Bethesda captured the imagination of gamers In 1994, the world was introduced to The Elder Scrolls: Arena, a cult RPG that captured the hearts of fans. Despite problems with the sequel, The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall, Weaver founded ZeniMax Media in 1999, which took Bethesda Softworks under its wing.
The breakthrough came in 2002, when The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind captured the hearts of gamers worldwide. In 2004, Bethesda acquired the legendary Fallout series from Interplay Entertainment. Fallout 3 (2008) brought the series and Bethesda back to greatness. In 2006, the world saw another miracle – The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
What followed was a period of dynamic growth. From 2007, Bethesda went from strength to strength, and in 2009 ZeniMax Media acquired id Software. The following years brought Rage, Doom (2016) and Quake Champions (2017). In 2011, the world went crazy for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
However, 2018 brought an image crisis with Fallout 76, which turned out to be a flop. 2019 saw the release of RAGE 2 and Wolfenstein: Youngblood, which also received a moderate reception.
After that, things only got better. 2020 was full of new game announcements – Bethesda showed players upcoming games like Deathloop and Ghostwire: Tokyo. By 21 September 2021, the world was abuzz with the news that Microsoft had acquired Bethesda’s parent company, ZeniMax Media (and by extension, Bethesda itself). The Redmond giant spent a staggering $7.5 billion on the deal. As a result, eight development teams have joined the Xbox team, including Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, MachineGames and Tango Gameworks.
With Microsoft’s support, will Bethesda surprise us even more than before? One thing is for sure – with such a marriage of visionary minds, the future of gaming welcomes us with open arms, full of amazing, surprising and exciting experiences.
Bethesda Softworks’ most popular games
The Elders Scrolls
The games in The Elder Scrolls series from Bethesda Softworks are set in an epic fantasy world of infinite possibilities and extraordinary adventure. It is easy to say that this is truly a quintessential RPG saga that has changed the way we look at the genre forever.
The first game, The Elder Scrolls: Arena, debuted in 1994. It may seem a little archaic now, but at the time it revolutionised the market by offering an incredibly expansive world to explore. It was also the beginning of the games that would become known to gamers around the world.
Released in 2002, Morrowind takes us to an open world full of magic and unusual creatures, offering an unparalleled exploration experience. There is a story around every corner waiting to be discovered. We play as a prisoner freed by the Emperor and sent on a secret mission. We soon discover that he is the incarnation of the legendary hero Nerevar.
Released in 2006, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion told the gripping story of saving the kingdom of Cyrodiil from a demonic invasion. The game changed the role-playing genre forever. Like all of its predecessors, Oblivion offers a great deal of choice. We can create our hero’s character, travel around the game world, complete thousands of side quests, or take on the main mission. We can become a powerful warrior, mage, sorcerer, healer or thief.
2011 brought us another instalment of The Elder Scrolls, Skyrim, with a stunning open world, a rich storyline and a complex character development system. Skyrim features a new combat system that is more dynamic and requires tactical thinking. What’s more, the player’s choices now have more serious consequences, tied to the more interesting behaviour of other characters. For example, if you drop a dagger in the middle of town, someone might take it back or steal it. To this day, Skyrim continues to captivate and draw players into a frosty landscape where dragons, magic, and adventure reign supreme.
DOOM
The DOOM series is the flagship of the FPS genre, defining and continuing the tradition of dark, bloody shooters. But DOOM is more than just a shooter – it is an immersive, dark symphony of destruction, brimming with emotion and suspense at every turn.
The first game in the series, released in 1993, stunned gamers with its fast-paced action, brutality and intensity. Assuming the role of a nameless soldier – the Doom Slayer – the player faces hordes of demons whom he must defeat in order to save humanity. Subsequent instalments have raised the bar even higher, introducing new weapons, monsters and expanded levels.
DOOM Eternal is also worth mentioning. Released in 2020, it captured the hearts of gamers worldwide with an even more expansive and spectacular sequel. With even more brutal finishers, more demons and an incredible dynamic, DOOM Eternal keeps the spirit of the legendary series alive.
Quake
Quake – a series that has gone down in the history of FPS games. Its debut in 1996, the fruit of the work of id Software and Bethesda, introduced a new quality that electrified gamers around the world. Gripping, dark atmospheres, highly realistic animations and deadly skirmishes with enemies are the hallmarks of Quake.
Each instalment in the series has brought innovation and changed the way we view the FPS genre. From the first game, which introduced 3D character models, to Quake III Arena, which became a favourite of e-sports gamers around the world. Also worth mentioning is Quake 4, which continued the storyline of Quake II and further expanded the gameplay mechanics.
2017’s Quake Champions sees a return to the roots and a focus on multiplayer competition. Despite the passing of the years, the series still manages to attract players by offering memorable thrills and extreme challenges. Unsurprisingly, Quake retains its place in the hall of fame as one of the most iconic and influential FPS series in history.
Dishonored
Dishonored is a series that, since its debut in 2012, has immersed players in a fascinating story full of intrigue, betrayal and dark secrets. Taking on the role of Corvo Attano, an exceptional assassin, we become embroiled in a bloody power struggle in the mysterious city of Dunwall.
In its revolutionary gameplay, Dishonored offers a unique freedom of choice. Will you sneak quietly across rooftops using magical powers, or will you face open confrontation with a powerful arsenal of weapons? Your decisions shape the world and the course of the story, creating an unforgettable experience. Dishonored is the essence of innovation and style – a game worth exploring.
Deathloop
Deathloop is an innovative first-person shooter published by Bethesda Softworks. This eerie adventure takes players to the island of Blackreef, where a fierce rivalry is taking place between two assassins, Colt Vahnom and Julianna Blake, who are caught up in a mysterious temporal anomaly.
In this alternate reality from 1963, Colt longs to break free of the endless time loop, while Julianna does everything she can to stop him. The challenge? Eliminate the eight visionaries responsible for maintaining the cycle before 24 hours have passed. With each death, we learn more about the complex relationships between the characters, putting us in a better position for subsequent attempts.
Deathloop gives players complete freedom of choice, with multiple problem-solving options and exciting hero abilities. Use firearms, gadgets and even supernatural powers to defeat opponents, battling both artificial intelligence and other players who can take control of Julianna.
This intriguing game is a unique combination of unique design, exciting storyline and intense gameplay. Deathloop is a title that will delight both fans of Arkane Studios and those looking for innovation in the world of action games.
Ghostwire Tokyo
Ghostwire: Tokyo is an intriguing action-adventure game that takes players to modern-day Tokyo to confront the mysterious Yokai – ghosts from Japanese folklore. Developed by Tango Gameworks under the direction of Shinji Mikami, creator of the renowned Resident Evil series, Ghostwire: Tokyo features an unusual storyline and innovative gameplay.
The action takes place in an alternate version of the Japanese capital, where a mysterious occult event has caused 99% of the population to disappear without a trace. Now the streets of the city are haunted by ghosts called Visitors and a mysterious group wearing traditional Hannya masks. The player takes on the role of a hero who has survived the disaster and been given supernatural abilities.
Ghostwire: Tokyo features a first-person perspective (FPP) that allows for an intense and emotional experience. As players explore the city, they will face unique enemies such as Amewarashi, Shiromuku and Kuchisake, each with their own unique moves, attacks and weaknesses. The trick is to discover these weaknesses in order to claim victory.