Role-playing games (RPGs) have been a popular genre among gamers for decades but it was not until the release of games like Skyrim and Fallout that RPGs went mainstream. RPGs began with tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons and migrated to video games with games like Ultima and Wizardry paving the way. Open world RPGs like Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim, with enormous, intricate worlds to explore, captivated players. After Skyrim’s success, other developers began experimenting with their own versions of open world RPGs. The future of the genre looks bright with Cyberpunk 2077 and Elder Scrolls VI.
The Role-Playing Genre Goes Mainstream: How Games Like Skyrim and Fallout Revolutionized the RPG Industry
Introduction
Role-playing games (RPGs) have been a beloved genre among gamers for decades. However, it wasn’t until recently that RPGs began to go mainstream, with games like Skyrim and Fallout taking the genre to new heights. In this article, we will explore how these games revolutionized the RPG industry.
The Early Days
The RPG genre can trace its roots back to tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons. These games were complex, requiring players to manage their characters’ stats and equipment, while also navigating intricate worlds full of danger and mystery. As video games became more popular, RPGs began to migrate to the digital realm, with games like Ultima and Wizardry paving the way.
The Golden Age
Throughout the ’90s and 2000s, the RPG genre enjoyed a golden age. Games like Final Fantasy VII and Chrono Trigger captivated players with their deep and engaging stories, while games like Diablo and Baldur’s Gate drew players in with their loot and character customization. These games were highly regarded by RPG fans, but they hadn’t yet broken through to the mainstream.
The Birth of Open World RPGs
Open world RPGs, where players are free to explore massive, immersive worlds, began to gain popularity with games like Morrowind and Oblivion. These games presented players with enormous, intricate worlds to explore, full of quests, loot, and secrets. However, it wasn’t until the release of Skyrim in 2011 that open world RPGs truly went mainstream.
The Skyrim Effect
Skyrim was a massive commercial success, selling over 30 million copies across all platforms. Its success can largely be attributed to its accessibility. While previous RPGs were often complex and daunting, Skyrim presented players with an intuitive, easy-to-navigate world, full of endless possibilities. It also helped that the game was drop-dead gorgeous, with breathtaking vistas and stunning graphics.
The Evolution of Open World RPGs
After Skyrim’s success, other developers began to take note of the open world RPG formula. Developers like CD Projekt Red (with the Witcher series) and Ubisoft (with the Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry series) began to experiment with their own versions of the open world RPG. Games like Horizon Zero Dawn and Ghost of Tsushima also took a page from Skyrim’s book, presenting players with massive, immersive worlds to explore.
The Fallout Effect
The Fallout series has been around since the late ’90s, but it wasn’t until the release of Fallout 3 in 2008 that the series truly went mainstream. Like Skyrim, Fallout 3 was an open world RPG with a massive, post-apocalyptic world to explore. It was a commercial and critical success, and its influence can be seen in other post-apocalyptic games like The Last of Us and Days Gone.
The Future of RPGs
The RPG genre is constantly evolving, with new games pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Elder Scrolls VI hold the promise of even deeper and more immersive worlds to explore. And with virtual reality becoming more and more prevalent, the future of RPGs is looking very exciting indeed.
Conclusion
The RPG genre has come a long way since its tabletop roots. Thanks to games like Skyrim and Fallout, the genre has gone mainstream, with millions of players around the world embracing the immersive and engaging worlds that RPGs offer. As the genre continues to evolve, it’s clear that RPGs will remain a beloved staple of the gaming world for years to come.