The Everlasting Meme: Multiple Editions of Skyrim

In the vast expanse of the internet, certain topics carve a permanent niche for themselves, becoming memes that continue to captivate users for years to come. One such phenomenon is the plethora of editions that Skyrim, the beloved fantasy role-playing game, has spawned. Even Todd Howard, the renowned game director and executive producer, seems to be well-aware of this enduring meme. In an email sent to Bethesda and Xbox staff on the occasion of the early access launch of Starfield, a highly anticipated sci-fi RPG, Howard humorously referenced the countless editions of Skyrim.

According to a letter of congratulations distributed to offices and reported by Windows Central, Howard expressed his gratitude while reflecting on the “long and tedious” journey of developing Starfield. In doing so, he playfully mentioned the numerous other games published during this arduous process, including “Fallout 4, Skyrim SE, Fallout Shelter, Skyrim VR, Fallout 76, more Skyrim…” This lighthearted acknowledgement by Howard highlights the ubiquity of Skyrim editions and their prevalence in Bethesda’s gaming legacy.

As revealed in the same letter, the development of Starfield was officially presented to the head of ZeniMax, Bethesda’s parent company, in 2013. Since then, Bethesda has released three distinct versions of Skyrim over the span of two decades. Howard specifically mentioned the special editions released in 2016, the virtual reality (VR) version for PlayStation VR and PC in 2017, and the Anniversary Edition, an expanded release in 2021. With the addition of the Anniversary Edition, the tally of Skyrim editions reaches four, surpassing the original version. However, when considering the multiple platforms and versions available, the count easily exceeds a dozen. Furthermore, differentiating the PC versions based on the distribution platforms further inflates the number of editions.

While fans eagerly await our Starfield review, set to be released today, there are other ways to immerse oneself in the world of Bethesda. You can indulge in creating your character using the online tool or delve into the copious amount of fascinating details shared by Emil Pagliarulo, a key figure in the game’s development.