Lex Fridman Podcast #342 – Todd Howard: Skyrim, Elder Scrolls 6, Fallout, and Starfield
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Nov 29, 2022 Todd Howard, the legendary video game designer at Bethesda Game Studios, discusses his iconic work on the Elder Scrolls and Fallout series. He shares insights into the balance between player freedom and immersive game worlds. Howard delves into the challenges of creating engaging NPC dialogue and the intricacies of game design in titles like Skyrim. He also provides a glimpse into the creative journey behind the upcoming Starfield, exploring themes of loneliness and exploration. The vibrant modding community and anticipatory excitement for Elder Scrolls 6 are also highlighted.
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Escaping the Game
- Todd Howard considers how characters might escape his open-world games.
- Players often find unintended ways out, like stacking crates or exploiting bugs.
NPC Reactivity
- The key to good NPC dialogue is reactivity to the player.
- Games should respond to player actions, creating dynamic interactions like in Skyrim.
World Simulation
- Bethesda games simulate all NPCs in the world, even those far from the player.
- This creates a bustling world but requires prioritizing what the player sees.