Todd Howard: Worldbuilding in Tamriel and Beyond

The article explores Todd Howard's work as an executive producer at Bethesda Studios, focusing on his approach to game design that emphasizes world-building and player agency. It highlights three core areas set Howard's design perspective apart from other designers: micronarratives, iterative design, and the sharing of design tools.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 24 December 2020
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

The latest installment in our esteemed series delves into the remarkable work of Todd Howard, the esteemed executive producer at Bethesda Studios, renowned for his unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of open-world gaming and player agency. Howard's games transport players to immersive worlds where they have the incredible ability to craft their own characters and shape their own narratives. While many games focus on the journey of the game's central protagonist, Todd Howard's approach to game design revolves around telling the captivating story of the game's world, be it the awe-inspiring high fantasy realms of the Elder Scrolls series or the desolate post-apocalyptic landscapes of the Fallout series. By prioritizing world-building, Howard creates a tapestry of open opportunities that grants players unparalleled freedom and choice within a vast and expansive gaming environment.

Drawing upon extensive academic discussions on narrative, world design, and game design, as well as exclusive interviews, speeches, and presentations delivered by Howard and other esteemed designers at Bethesda Games, Wendi Sierra meticulously highlights three fundamental aspects that set Howard's design perspective apart from others. These core areas include micronarratives, iterative design, and the sharing of design tools. When considered as a whole, these three elements serve as a testament to Howard's profound influence on both Bethesda Studios and the broader realm of game design. Through his unwavering dedication to world-building, Howard has not only shaped the games he has created but also left an indelible mark on the industry as a whole.

Weight: 348g
Dimension: 146 x 222 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501350955