Bruce Nesmith, lead designer on Skyrim, has expressed skepticism about Bethesda creating a TV adaptation for The Elder Scrolls franchise. In an interview, he explained that while the Fallout TV series was a hit, its primary value to Bethesda is marketing, not direct profit.
"What you have to realize is that they don't make Bethesda money directly," Nesmith said. "I would be shocked if Bethesda is making any money that they care about really, not when you make literally billions of dollars on Skyrim. What you're going to make by licensing the IP is just peanuts." He questioned if marketing was even needed for the upcoming Elder Scrolls 6.
Nesmith also suggested The Elder Scrolls' high-fantasy setting might not stand out in a crowded media landscape, unlike Fallout's unique post-apocalyptic world. "There's a dragon? I've seen dragons 20 times before," he remarked, doubting the franchise's fit for a TV series format, though he allowed a movie might be more feasible.
Despite these arguments, the article counters that a TV show could be made to delight the franchise's massive and dedicated fanbase, who would likely welcome any new adaptation of the beloved world of Tamriel.