The Elder Scrolls 6 Could Add Boats and Naval Combat, Says Skyrim Designer
The Elder Scrolls 6 could bring a major new feature to the series if Bethesda adds boats and naval exploration. Former Skyrim lead designer Bruce Nesmith believes sailing could be a natural fit for the next game, especially if fan theories about the Iliac Bay setting turn out to be true.
Nesmith discussed the idea while talking about what he would personally like to see in The Elder Scrolls 6. He is not working on the game, so his comments do not confirm anything about Bethesda’s plans.
“What will be the big new feature for Elder Scrolls 6? I think boats and potentially even naval combat are the natural ones,” Nesmith said.
He explained that Elder Scrolls games have had forms of transportation before, including carriages, but they were mostly used to quickly move between locations. Boats could make transportation part of the actual gameplay.
According to Nesmith, an Iliac Bay setting could give Bethesda plenty of opportunities to build around the sea. Players could sail between locations, discover new areas and encounter creatures while traveling.
“It could be really cool,” he said, adding that the game could potentially have entire skill trees connected to water-based abilities. He also suggested that boats could do more than simply carry players across the ocean.
Nesmith believes sea creatures could become another major part of the experience. Sharks and krakens would be obvious choices, while the Sea Elves, also known as the Maormer, could fit naturally into a story focused on the water. However, he would avoid making underwater exploration a major feature.
Nesmith recalled that Fallout 4 developers experimented with underwater gameplay but ultimately decided it required too much additional work. He believes The Elder Scrolls 6 would benefit from focusing on surface-based water gameplay instead.
“I’d rather do this part really well rather than do both of these parts not so well,” he explained.
Bethesda has not confirmed boats, naval combat or an Iliac Bay setting for The Elder Scrolls 6. For now, Nesmith’s comments are simply his vision for the game, but they highlight how much room Bethesda has to expand exploration in the long-awaited RPG.
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