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Designer Leaves Bethesda After Elder Scrolls 6 Snub

1/17/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Kurt Kuhlmann, a designer at Bethesda Game Studios, says he was promised The Elder Scrolls 6 lead designer role but was not chosen.
He envisioned the game as Empire Strikes Back–like, with Thalmor triumph setting up a sequel.
He doubts Bethesda would release a game with a "bad" ending.
After 11 years, he left Bethesda in 2023 due to dissatisfaction with its direction and leadership changes.

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Story summary

Kurt Kuhlmann, a designer at Bethesda Game Studios, says he was promised The Elder Scrolls 6 lead designer role but was not chosen.
He envisioned the game as Empire Strikes Back–like, with Thalmor triumph setting up a sequel.
He doubts Bethesda would release a game with a "bad" ending.
After 11 years, he left Bethesda in 2023 due to dissatisfaction with its direction and leadership changes.