#342 – Todd Howard: Skyrim, Elder Scrolls 6, Fallout, and Starfield

About this episode

<p>Todd Howard is a legendary video game designer at Bethesda Game Studios. He led the development of the Elder Scrolls series and the Fallout series, and an upcoming game Starfield. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:<br /> &#8211; <b>Shopify</b>: <a href="https://shopify.com/lex">https://shopify.com/lex</a> to get free trial<br /> &#8211; <b>Eight Sleep</b>: <a href="https://www.eightsleep.com/lex">https://www.eightsleep.com/lex</a> to get special savings<br /> &#8211; <b>InsideTracker</b>: <a href="https://insidetracker.com/lex">https://insidetracker.com/lex</a> to get 20% off<br /> &#8211; <b>LMNT</b>: <a href="https://drinkLMNT.com/lex">https://drinkLMNT.com/lex</a> to get free sample pack</p> <p><b>EPISODE LINKS:</b><br /> Bethesda: <a href="https://bethesda.net">https://bethesda.net</a><br /> Bethesda Game Studios: <a href="https://bethesdagamestudios.com">https://bethesdagamestudios.com</a><br /> Creation Club: <a href="https://creationclub.bethesda.net">https://creationclub.bethesda.net</a></p> <p><b>PODCAST INFO:</b><br /> Podcast website: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/podcast">https://lexfridman.com/podcast</a><br /> Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://apple.co/2lwqZIr">https://apple.co/2lwqZIr</a><br /> Spotify: <a href="https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8">https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8</a><br /> RSS: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/">https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/</a><br /> YouTube Full Episodes: <a href="https://youtube.com/lexfridman">https://youtube.com/lexfridman</a><br /> YouTube Clips: <a href="https://youtube.com/lexclips">https://youtube.com/lexclips</a></p> <p><b>SUPPORT &#38; CONNECT:</b><br /> &#8211; Check out the sponsors above, it&#8217;s the best way to support this podcast<br /> &#8211; Support on Patreon: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman">https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/lexfridman">https://twitter.com/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman">https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman">https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman">https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; Medium: <a href="https://medium.com/@lexfridman">https://medium.com/@lexfridman</a></p> <p><b>OUTLINE:</b><br /> Here&#8217;s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.<br /> (00:00) &#8211; Introduction<br /> (05:53) &#8211; Simulation<br /> (07:49) &#8211; NPCs<br /> (16:40) &#8211; Daggerfall and Arena<br /> (24:53) &#8211; Bethesda<br /> (33:18) &#8211; Video game graphics<br /> (39:37) &#8211; The essence of a video game<br /> (44:25) &#8211; Redguard<br /> (49:25) &#8211; Creating open worlds<br /> (57:04) &#8211; Superintelligent NPCs<br /> (1:01:58) &#8211; Starfield<br /> (1:21:40) &#8211; The Elder Scrolls 6<br /> (1:41:01) &#8211; Fallout<br /> (1:48:09) &#8211; Character creation<br /> (1:53:11) &#8211; Quests &#38; items<br /> (2:06:57) &#8211; Xbox<br /> (2:12:22) &#8211; Greatest game of all time<br /> (2:22:38) &#8211; Day in the life<br /> (2:30:32) &#8211; Advice for young people<br /> (2:34:00) &#8211; Fallout TV show<br /> (2:38:32) &#8211; Indiana Jones game<br /> (2:44:44) &#8211; Meaning of life</p>