Bethesda Games Studios is undeniably one of the best video game developers out there, but do fans know that the company behind Fallout and The Elder Scrolls also helps out terminally ill children? While plenty of big companies are known for helping sick children, Bethesda doesn't like to shout about its work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Founded in 2001 as the in-house design branch of Bethesda Softworks, the studio is known for its expansive RPGs and domination of the video game charts. However, it turns out the best thing Bethesda does has nothing to do with taking fans out into the Wasteland of Fallout or off into space for the upcoming Starfield.
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Speaking to Geoff Keighley during an on-stage interview with Gamelab (via Eurogamer), Bethesda boss Todd Howard revealed how most gamers won't know about the charitable work the company does behind the scenes:
"We have had a lot of them wish to come to our studio. That's a good - you want a reality check at work, you're doing your day-to-day and then a family comes in with their child... They can wish for anything and they've come to your studio because they want to see how you make their favourite game and they want to play it. It is by far the greatest thing that we do."
With Bethesda being notoriously secretive anyway, Howard went on to explain why this side of the company is kept even more private than usual:
"We don't talk about it a lot. I am now but it's a very private thing. The one takeaway is the family - because they always come in with their family - they think it's just a fun 'this is what my child wants to do', but then they see this operation of hundreds of people and what we're doing and how passionate we are, and they leave with this new connection with their child and it is... it's seriously magical. It's the greatest thing we do."
Back in 2016, a terminally ill Star Wars fan got to see Rogue One early, and only this year, the stars of the MCU and DCEU gathered together to support a dying Avengers fan. It is refreshing that Bethesda works hard to fulfill the wishes of sick children without needing to grab headlines with it. It may be a tragic story, but at least some terminally ill fans get a look at the inner-workings of Bethesda and get a glimpse of what is to come from the gaming giant.
This year's E3 Expo gave a hint of what's on the horizon for Bethesda, and it looks like Howard and his team will have their hands full for the foreseeable future. Alongside the first Fallout MMO with Fallout 76, the company also announced the long-awaited Starfield and The Elder Scrolls VI. Considering Starfield will be Bethesda's first new franchise in nearly 25 years and will work with next-gen mechanics, the Make-A-Wish kids have been given a rare look at the future of gaming. Howard may be keeping a tight lid on spoilers for the general public, but at least he isn't afraid to extend a hand to those fans who need it most.
MORE: Fallout 76 is Not Representative of Bethesda's Future Games
Source: Eurogamer