Pros and Cons of Bethesda Transitioning to Unreal Engine 5

These days, Bethesda Game Studios often catches its fair share of criticism. However, it’s undeniable that the studio has been behind some of the most game-changing RPGs in history. Take The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim from 2011, for example. This fantasy action game has stood as a cornerstone of the RPG world for years, sparking inspiration across a myriad of games, regardless of their size. Bethesda’s 2015 creation, Fallout 4, also remains popular even after a decade, boasting a strong player base despite some longtime Fallout fans voicing critiques. Both titles not only achieved staggering sales figures worldwide but also cemented their status in RPG lore.

While Bethesda’s games are indeed triumphant, they haven’t exactly swept the board when it comes to technical accolades. Games like Skyrim, Fallout 4, Fallout 76, and the latest release, Starfield, have often met with fan criticism for their underwhelming graphics. All running on Bethesda’s proprietary Creation Engine, these games tend to fall short visually when compared to the eye-popping realism found in other modern AAA games. Frequent loading screens, persistent bugs, and other technical glitches have led some to declare the engine outdated. This has fueled discussions about whether Bethesda should abandon the Creation Engine in favor of Unreal Engine 5 for future projects. While such a switch could bring certain advantages, it might also come with some drawbacks.

Now, let’s dive into the potential for a big engine change.

The Pros and Cons of Switching from Creation Engine to Unreal Engine 5

UE5 Could Make Bethesda Games More Realistic and Easier to Develop

Epic Games’ Unreal Engine 5 is famous for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in game graphics. With features like Lumen and Nanite, it can transform games into visual marvels when used effectively. Should Bethesda opt to harness Unreal Engine 5 for its future masterpieces, we could witness Fallout and Elder Scrolls realms rendered with unparalleled visual fidelity, dynamic lighting, and lifelike NPCs—not unlike the jaw-dropping graphics seen in Black Myth: Wukong. For fans of these series, such a leap would be nothing short of a dream realized.

Beyond the potential visual upgrade, shifting to Unreal Engine 5 might speed up Bethesda’s game release schedule. The intricacies of their Creation Engine demand substantial expertise and training, posing a challenge during development. On the flip side, Unreal Engine 5 enjoys widespread popularity, meaning that many developers and freelancers come equipped with the know-how from the start. This familiarity can translate into quicker development times, a sentiment echoed by Nate Purkeypile, a former Bethesda artist, who mentions it "makes it easier to hire people and ramp up."

Creation Engine is Far More Moddable and Fine-Tuned for Bethesda Games Compared to UE5

Though Unreal Engine 5 could enhance Bethesda’s development process, adopting it doesn’t magically solve all the hurdles associated with the Creation Engine. Critiques of UE5 have surfaced among gamers and developers, one being the increasing sameness as more studios pivot to it from their proprietary engines. While many back this shift as it streamlines development, there’s a counter-argument that it might dilute a game’s unique technical quality. Proprietary engines like the Creation Engine are often meticulously tailored for specific game types, offering features that a more generic engine might not.

One of the Creation Engine’s leading advantages is its robust modding capabilities, far surpassing those of Unreal Engine 5. Modders have become a vital part of the Bethesda ecosystem, and it’s crucial for the studio to maintain this mod-friendliness. Should Bethesda transition to Unreal Engine 5, it risks losing this cherished flexibility—a loss that could significantly impact its devoted community.