Former Bethesda Boss: Everyone Thought Skyrim Would Lose to Call of Duty
▼ Summary
– Pete Hines faced skepticism about Morrowind as an Xbox exclusive and Skyrim’s release date near Call of Duty.
– He believed Skyrim was a better game and was confident in competing with marketing despite a lower budget.
– Both Skyrim and Modern Warfare 3 were top-selling games in 2011, with Skyrim selling over 60 million copies.
– Hines also ignored advice to avoid a spring release for Oblivion, which succeeded and remains popular.
– He found challenging industry norms rewarding and took pride in Bethesda’s innovative and ethical approach.
Pete Hines, a former executive at Bethesda, recently reflected on the bold predictions and industry skepticism that surrounded some of the studio’s most iconic releases. He shared how confidence in the quality of their games allowed them to defy conventional wisdom and achieve remarkable success.
During an interview, Hines recounted the widespread doubt that greeted several major Bethesda launches. When The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind was announced as an Xbox exclusive, many questioned whether such a deep, complex RPG could thrive on a single console. Later, with The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim scheduled for November 11, 2011, just three days after Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, critics warned that no one would pay attention to a fantasy epic when a military blockbuster dominated the conversation. Hines remembers the reaction clearly: “Everyone’s gonna play Call of Duty. Nobody’s gonna buy your game.”
Despite the noise, Hines remained steadfast. He acknowledged the immense power of the Call of Duty franchise but believed wholeheartedly that Skyrim was simply the stronger game. He insisted on backing it with a marketing push, even if the budget couldn’t match Activision’s. “I will go up against those guys,” he stated. “I will spend against those guys. I will never spend anywhere near as much and I can still win.”
History proved him right. While Modern Warfare 3 topped the annual sales chart in the U.S., Skyrim secured the number two spot, an incredible achievement given the competition. More importantly, Skyrim’s longevity has been extraordinary, with lifetime sales exceeding 60 million copies across numerous platforms and editions. It stands today as one of the best-selling video games ever made.
This wasn’t the only time Bethesda defied expectations. Hines also recalled advice against launching The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion in March 2006, a period often considered a slow season for game releases. Critics argued that “nobody releases games in the spring,” but Bethesda moved forward anyway. The title not only succeeded at launch but continues to find new audiences, recently bolstered by a 2025 remaster that became the second best-selling game in the U.S. that year.
For Hines, this willingness to challenge industry norms was what made his tenure at Bethesda so rewarding. “It’s what made it so fun,” he remarked. He took pride in the company’s ability to innovate, attract players, and earn recognition through originality and execution. “I wanted to be part of a company where if anybody peeks into a window to see how we’re doing this, I feel okay about it.”
Since leaving Bethesda after Microsoft’s acquisition of ZeniMax, Hines has entered retirement but remains an engaged voice in gaming discussions, including his perspectives on services like Xbox Game Pass.
(Source: GameSpot)
