Xbox has had quite an eventful generation so far with the Bethesda acquisition, multiple exclusivity deals, and a consistently growing library of Xbox Game Pass titles. Xbox has also taken a vastly different approach towards the games it's making this generation, the audience it's targeting, and how it's making these games available to the consumer. While there are plenty of plausible explanations for Xbox's drastically different approach to this generation, three of its highly anticipated games - Avowed, Fable, and The Elder Scrolls 6 - answer much of what Xbox is striving for in the ninth generation of video games consoles.
Whereas Fable and The Elder Scrolls 6 are new entries in two of the most beloved RPG franchises, Avowed is a brand new IP with endless possibilities and high expectations. What's common between them is that they are all AAA western RPGs currently in development at some of the most reputable game development studios in the world, with all brought together under the Xbox banner. While it's too early to predict how these games will turn out to be, their eventual releases may change the image of the Xbox brand fans currently know.
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How Avowed, Fable, and The Elder Scrolls 6 Represents This Generation of Xbox
The original Xbox was home to classic western RPGs like Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic 2, Fable, and The Elder Scrolls 3 Morrowind, developed respectively by Obsidian Entertainment, Big Blue Box Studios/Lionhead Studios, and Bethesda Game Studios. Two decades later, with the exception of Big Blue Box Studios and Lionhead studios, these crowning RPG studios are now collaborating with Xbox yet again, though this time as part of Xbox's first-party lineup.
The fact that Obsidian Entertainment, Playground Games, and Bethesda Game Studios are now part of Xbox Game Studios may not be a coincidence. Xbox's aim of reinvigorating classic western RPGs while also paving the way for brand new IPs for its latest generation of consoles may have a lot to do with replicating the success and popularity of the original Xbox.
This is one aspect where PlayStation and Xbox take different paths this generation. Where PlayStation remains primarily focused on making blockbuster single-player action-adventure titles, the likes of which made PS4 so successful, Xbox is looking to once again become the house of western RPGs. This doesn't mean that RPGs are Xbox's only focus this generation, but the fact that so many of its currently announced projects are RPGs says a lot about the direction Xbox is seemingly headed.
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Avowed, Fable, and The Elder Scrolls 6 will Solidify Xbox as the House of Western RPGs
Avowed, Fable, and The Elder Scrolls 6 are not just three of the most highly anticipated Xbox exclusive western RPGs, but they are three completely unique RPGs presumably offering hundreds of hours of gameplay. Avowed's reveal trailer may have given the impression that it is Obsidian's version of Skyrim, though Xbox head Phil Spencer has since then confirmed that Avowed is very different from The Elder Scrolls. Since Xbox also owns Bethesda now, which owns The Elder Scrolls, it would be absurd if both Avowed and The Elder Scrolls 6 offer gameplay and story experiences that are too similar.
While Avowed could be a more hardcore RPG with a multitude of choices and branching narratives, Fable could be a lighter, more accessible RPG experience. The Fable reboot is Playground games' first venture into the RPG genre, but the studio's past experiences with open-world games is a sign that Fable is in good hands. Fable is using the ForzaTech engine, and if Forza Horizon 5 is any indication, Fable could be the best-looking game on Xbox Series X when it finally arrives. Chances are that Avowed and The Elder Scrolls 6 will be traditional single-player experiences, whereas Fable could shake things up with the addition of co-op and other online features. Playground Games' experience with seamless multiplayer integration shouldn't make the addition of online modes in Fable that surprising.
The Elder Scrolls 6 is one of the most anticipated video games currently in development. The sixth mainline installment in Bethesda's fantasy RPG series is still years away from releasing and could be the perfect way to conclude the Xbox Series X/S generation. While the last two Elder Scrolls games are on PlayStation systems, chances are that Elder Scrolls 6 will be an Xbox exclusive, at least if the latest report from notable game journalist Jeff Grubb is any indication. Like Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim before it, The Elder Scrolls 6 could be the next evolution in the western RPG space. With Xbox's resources and the advantage of shipping on exclusive platforms, The Elder Scrolls 6 could meet its unprecedented expectations.
While Avowed, Fable, and The Elder Scrolls 6 could be the ultimate roleplaying experiences on Xbox this generation, there are plenty more games in store to solidify Xbox as the house of western RPGs. Starfield, Bethesda Game Studio's first new IP in 25 years, is a sci-fi RPG releasing exclusively on Xbox Series X/S and PC in 2022. Bethesda claims Starfield is Skyrim in space, which has only heightened fans' expectations. On the other hand, Obsidian is proving to be PlayStation's Insomniac, simultaneously working on Grounded, The Outer Worlds 2, and an unannounced project outside of Avowed.
While all of this seems to indicate an overwhelming number of AAA budget western RPG headed to the Xbox ecosystem this generation, it seems the company has no intention of stopping there. According to notable game journalist Jez Corden, IO Interactive is working on a AAA fantasy RPG for Xbox, codenamed Project Dragon. Keeping IO's previous projects in mind, Project Dragon could be a sandbox-style gameplay-driven RPG akin to the canceled PlatinumGames title Scalebound.
Another big rumor suggests that FromSoftware is working on a sci-fi RPG exclusively for Xbox. FromSoftware has made Xbox exclusive titles like Chromehounds and Ninja Blade in the past, so this rumored collaboration doesn't sound too far-fetched. With Avowed, Fable, and The Elder Scrolls 6 leading the charge, and other intriguing projects rumored to be in the works, Xbox's lineup of AAA budget RPGs seem too good to be true. While most of these titles may not release anytime soon, the fact that they are happening should keep Xbox fans excited for the time being.