The title may seem a bit snarky, but I couldn't think of a better way to word it. I'm actually curious about the process of Todd rising through Bethesda. I know he started out bug testing the CD version of Arena...But between that and Morrowind, theres no easily attainable information! And that's a really big gap to have no information in!

So yeah: if anyone knows, what happened that let Todd move from that relatively peripheral job, into one of such extreme importance and success?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0_PiTtSp_I

He was a designer on Daggerfall, although I'm not sure what specific work he did. I don't believe he worked on Battlespire, and instead he jump to Redguard, which he headed. (Redguard is also a game he's talked about quite a bit, if you do some searches there's a particularly funny discussion about one of the devs messing with him while working on that game )

Edit: http://www.elderscrolls.com/community/most_memorable_elder_scrolls_moments/

I was under the impression that it was a combination of clandestine usurptions and black sorcery... Kind of like Jagar Tharn.

MAGIC!!!

or SCIENCE!!

Better watch OP, the Todd is watching.

This. It's a nice series, though I did know most of the stuff from the last 2 Bethesda episodes or so already. But the first ones are nice.

To answer your question; no, you will never be hired for Todd's job .

Well, it all started with an unmarked black van in his driveway one day...

Shameful I've never seen that.

This. Thank you for dictating the next hour of my life.
Glad Todd has the job, he's freaking awesome

Really? I don't find him all that amazing to be honest.

Who's Bob?

Ah I don't know. I think he's quite charismatic. Which an impression I don't seem to get from the majority of the game developing world.

On another note. I had no idea that EA screwed Bethesda so hard for Madden.

According to some on this forum, Todd = God. Remember that creepy Todd plushie thread?

I just like to see all the ups and downs for the company and video game history in general.

The narrator cracks me up with some of his one liners.

Too bad game companies can't settle legal disputes with a rousing game of team death match.

Oh no, I'm not saying he svcks. I just don't see him as 'standing out' compared to any other dev. (Though I do find JE Sawyer a pretty awesome guy)


Lol, I remember that thread, I was partially confused and horrified

Who hasn't EA screwed? I'm pretty sure EA has even screwed its own mother. Honestly, Bethesda is better off without the drivel that is another medicore sports game. They make good RPGs.

I asked this same question shortly before the release of Skyrim
the basic answer is that Tood is a remarkable programmer for starters, he apparently did more work than anyone else at Beth during his time as a tester and programmer.

second, I believe he got his job as head of Beth. once one of the old leaders of it left and Zenimax figured, hey, why not.
the reality is, when he was interviewed by "All Our History" and asked how he rose so quickly even he didn't give a definite answer, he kinda just said, "well, I fell into it, I wasn't expecting to be achieve that much so fast, but somehow I did"

It is easy to get a job in virtually any industry when you have that cool two first names thing going on.

Todd worked as a bug tester on Arena. Following the release of Daggerfall, which he helped design, but didn't direct, Bethesda Softworks made the game two more ES games in a row, Battlespire then Redguard, which did NOT do well at all and almost bankrupt the company.

Todd directed Redguard, and then Bethesda Softworks had to make a miracle happen. The company was going down and was running out of funds. The previous games were virtually flops. Todd was told by producers that if they didnt make a game that revolutionized rpgs, the company was done. Todd said that he needed more money, so they all took a risk and made the most extensize rpg experience ever made.

That game was The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. Morrowind was a game made in the midst of bankruptcy and desperation, and the team put all of their effort and resources into it.

Todd has been the director of the studio ever since. And..the rest is history.

EA really are bastards.... then again if they didn't Bethesda may have turned out differently if different events had transpired.... so good in the end I suppose

Morrowind did not revolutionize RPGs ~_~ but whatever..

I still have no idea who this guy is, well I have some idea.
But maybe he applied, worked hard, got noticed and moved upwards and onwards - maybe outwards when he gets older

he seems like he may be a go getter, he said betyh isnt interested in cocky people/employees, maybe he also played some office politics and took some huge gambles throguh his career in the company.

alota people wh work tere must have also spoken highly of him.

with every interview closer to skyrims srelease date he elooked really tired. like he was burning out.
do
nt tworry todd, qhen ur beat, let me etake over

Good joke.