What's the average time to develop a game under Todd Howard's direction?

Asked on: 7/25/2025

This question has been asked1times.

Games directed by Todd Howard typically take 3-5 years to develop, depending on scope and technology.

Estimated Duration: 1460 days

Todd Howard, known for directing major Bethesda titles like Skyrim and Fallout, oversees large-scale RPGs with complex systems. Development time varies based on engine upgrades, open-world scale, and narrative depth. A typical Bethesda Game Studios production under Howard takes 3-5 years, involving pre-production prototyping, years of active development with hundreds of team members, and extensive post-launch support. Factors like creating new technology (e.g., Creation Engine for Starfield) or pandemic-related delays can extend timelines. The studio's reputation for detailed worlds and emergent gameplay requires this extended development period compared to simpler game projects.