Morrowind helped Bethesda to "stay in business" but Skyrim was the "holy sh*t" moment, says former boss

Pete Hines said Morrowind gave Bethesda the financial breathing room it needed.

He called Skyrim the breakthrough that turned Bethesda into a widely recognized top-tier studio.

Hines described Skyrim as Bethesda’s first big “holy shit” moment and praised Todd Howard’s push for a bigger leap.

The article highlights Skyrim’s huge player base, modding legacy, and lasting influence on Bethesda’s reputation.

It also contrasts that high point with more recent disappointment around Starfield and expectations for future games.