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Fantasy is one of the fastest-growing genres on TV, especially following a phenomenon like Game of Thrones, and it doesn't seem to be slowing down. While many popular fantasy books have gotten their adaptation, there is another source for epic stories that is sorely underused: video games. For the last few decades, some of the most expansive and thrilling stories have been ones fans got to play through, and more recently, they have begun to be adapted for TV. Fallout, The Last of Us, Arcane, and many more prove the merit of turning a game into a show, but there are still plenty of thrilling games that haven't yet gotten this treatment, including the best fantasy game, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
The 2011 video game became an instant success, reaching critical acclaim and remaining popular fifteen years later. Many fans have been clamoring for an adaptation, but it has yet to happen. The fantasy genre can be tricky, but when it's done well, fans do not soon forget, like Game of Thrones. With an epic story, expansive world, and extensive lore, Skyrim has the potential to become one of the genre's best, if it ever gets the adaptation it deserves.
'Skyrim' Has All the Elements of an Unforgettable Fantasy Series
While many video games could make great TV series,Skyrim stands out because of its expansive world, thrilling story, and unique magic system. Though it is part of the larger Elder Scrolls series, Skyrim is not a direct sequel to the previous game. Though set in the same world, the story takes place roughly 200 years in the future, separating it from other games in the series and providing a self-contained story within the larger world. As an open-world RPG, there is a lot to explore, from ancient cities to mountainous landscapes that provide side quests for the player. But that is true of many games, while Skyrim goes above and beyond by explaining the world's unique history as it introduces the different races of beings and the ongoing civil war on the continent of Tamriel that the hero must navigate throughout their mission.
The story starts when a dragon attack provides a unique mission for the hero. Witnessing a dragon's death, the character absorbs its soul, identifying themself as the last Dragonborn, a prophesied figure with rare powers needed to defeat Alduin, the dragon who will consume the world. Though Alduin was defeated once before, the beast was really sent into the future, reappearing in the story and forcing the unsuspecting Dragonborn to go on a journey to save the world. With a prophesied hero, an evil dragon, and a world overflowing with characters and stories, Skyrim is full of everything fantasy fans look for, making it the perfect source for a new series.
Despite Rumors, 'Skyrim' Isn't Getting Adapted Any Time Soon
Following the undeniable success of other video game-inspired TV series, Skyrim has gotten even more attention. Many fans agree that the epic game could be the next big fantasy adaptation, sparking discussions that caught the attention of those involved with the game. Unfortunately, not all agree that Skyrim needs to take this step. The game's design lead, Bruce Nesmith, dismissed the idea, claiming that an adaptation is unlikely due to the oversaturated market and saying, "You'd have to raise those stakes. There's a dragon? I've seen dragons 20 times before." While there are certainly similarities to existing shows, on a basic level, there is something to be said for genre tropes, especially when that genre is thriving.
Despite commonalities with other fantasy stories, Skyrim is still worthy of an adaptation. Yet, going from game to screen can be difficult, especially when so much of the main character and the progression of events is up to the player. While other series, like Fallout, have worked around these issues, they remain a challenge for each new adaptation. Skyrim holds a lot of potential, and if done right, an adaptation could surpass genre favorites like Game of Thrones. As successful video game adaptations become more common, Skyrim deserves to be among them, so it can share its epic story with a new audience.
