I was just wondering, some of you say you like Todd's direction with the series and such. Does nothing in Bethesda happen unless Todd Howard gives his approval?

Nah I guess the God is the man with the money.

I honestly have no idea but I hope not. Its not like he is Steve Jobs (rip).
Personally I don't like when people hype things as much as he's done, it never leads to anything but people's expectations being set waaay too high.

If you want to use that anology I would say that the directors board of Zenimax is their gods and Todd Howard is their High Priest.

Yes I have reasons to believe he's been given free hands in everything Bethesda (game studio) does. The best proof is he's directing both TES and Fallout, whereas I think both franchises would benefit from different teams with different directors.

The board is probably thinking very high of him since he got his hands on TES the series became very successful, can't be a coincidence.

Am pretty sure everyone works as a team and from what i've read of Todd Howard he is a very friendly person to work with who even asks and picks up lunch for his co workers. Its pretty fabulous to see nice people with golden will dedication and truly good hearts making plenty of money and being masters of success at whatever they set as a goal. We the fans have benefited greatly to say the least.

People like to associate the good or bad things with individuals. Ken Rolston ruined Oblivion, Todd made the series successful, etc. But I'm sure this is the result of a team effort and a lot of brainstorming. As a director he probably has a heavy decision in the end but knowing him from interviews I incline to believe he's more of a persuader than a dictator.

He is an executive producer and an art director. He is technically "the boss".

My guess is that Todd's role is similar to the role of a movie director. Like a director Todd makes many day-to-day decions but he answers to the producers - in this case Zenimax - who hold the money and call the shots and might over-ride his decisions.

Todd is Akatosh.

He's the executive producer. But he doesn't operate on his own.

you absolutely 100% wrong. todd is always condescending and incredibly picky - he acts like a total and complete brat when people aren't centering their day around him. He is constantly late and never ever offers to get lunch for anybody, he patronises the cleaner Marian [yes, that is her NAME, Todd] and takes the piss out of the fans behind their backs, then is all gushy and pleasant to their faces. all in the name of money and power. Todd is an incredibly vile human being.

- of course this is all just rumours i've heard from my stoned roommate's cousin's father apparently works on computers for a company near bethesda and heard this from his dog who once went for a sneaky walk around beth studios in a three-piece suit and top hat disguise.

LOL so in the end he does persuade others that his vision is the best? What a relief!

Yes I was always wondering how exactly does he "answer" to the producers. For instance who decides where the next TES takes place? Could they vote? How about attributes, classes, level scaling, children or no children, if the cities are open or walled, do the managers in the board have anything to say, or Todd and his team are free to do whatever they want the only risk being their jobs if it turns out bad...

I think Todd Howard has a lot of influence at Bethesda. I don't know if he has total control over Bethesda, but if he did that would mean Bethesda blindly does whatever he says. That would really svck.

Ah you must be the magic mirror of opposites. A reflection of what isnt minus the totally real Dog in suave three piece suit and top hat. Thank you for the truth

i hope he leave Beth to start his own company then we will see another great sandbox RPG ..
it's way too much to wait 4-5? years for a new game to be released

You mean: I hope he leaves Bethesda to start his own studio, then we will see more great sandbox RPG's?

I could agree to that. Todd was also the lead designer for Morrowind, and he was already involved with TES when Beth made Daggerfall. I think Morrowind, even though it was limited by the technology of the day, certainly qualified as a great (and unique) sandbox RPG. Perhaps the current direction of TES might not be totally agreeable, for me it isn't for various reasons, but Bethesda's games have always been quite unique as sandbox RPG's. Not always the greatest imho, but certainly noteworthy and defining.

well thats not gonna happen, they aren't stupid.

He answers to his producers by giving them games that sell big time. According to Todd, he and his team are free to design their games as they will. It makes sense for it to work that way, and all the evidence supports it.

I can bet they only let Todd do whatever he wants as long as it fits their streamlining and 'for the masses' principles. If Todd had a 'weird' idea such as making the next TES in Elsweyr or Black marsh I can bet they step out and use their veto because it hurts their business.

We had Fallout: New Vegas. Yes?

And how exactly would the beast race provinces hurt the sales? I for one am sick of humans, heroic and generic fantasy, I'd welcome a higher fantasy setting wholeheartedly.

Oblivion, widely regarded as a bit bland after Morrowind, sold well, then we got the Shivering Isles. There is always room for something a bit left of centre.

God: "I think I will wipe out this world and start a new one from scratch."

Todd: "Ok, here are some design ideas for you."