“The time is right”
Pete Hines, head of publishing atElder Scrolls,FalloutandStarfieldstudio Bethesda, is retiring. One of the most public faces at the developer behind perhaps only Toddy H himself, Hines has played a prominent role in the release of their biggest games for close to the last quarter-of-a-century - but says that the “time is right” to move on to “an exciting new chapter of my life”.
Last November, Hines moved over to become head of publishing, continuing to hype up (depending on your personal taste for enormous, hours-eating games) the then-incoming Starfield by calling it"irresponsibly large"in an effort to explain why it was an Xbox exclusive during the Microsoft-Blizzard discussions.
The release of Starfield - said to beBethesda’s biggest launch to date- apparently inspired Hines to move on after 24 years at the publisher.
“I am retiring and will begin an exciting new chapter of my life exploring interests and passions, donating my time where I can, and taking more time to enjoy life,” Hines wrote on TwiXer. “This was not a decision I came to easily or quickly, but after an amazing career, culminating in the incredible launch of Starfield, it feels like the time is right.”
Hines went on to thank Bethesda’s fans, and called working at the company “the greatest experience of my life”.
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Intheir own announcement, Bethesda said that “Pete’s public presence was only a small part of his role at Bethesda, although the way he represented us carried over into the values he nurtured here: authenticity, integrity and passion”.
“His contributions have been integral in building Bethesda and its family of studios into the world-class organization that it is today. His vision helped push us forward, and his hard work inspired us.”
In a heartfelt nod to Hines’ own gimmick of providing doctor’s note templates for players to use to be excused from school or work on the day launch day of their new games, Bethesda alsorepliedto Hines’ announcement with a doctor’s note asking to “please excuse Pete Hines from work” and prescribing him “ongoing treatment” in the form of gaming, collecting cards “in all forms” (including Magic: The Gathering), looking after foster dogs, and “having fun with friends in the community”.
It’s unclear what Bethesda’s first game in over two decades without Hines involved will be just yet, but we do know that bothThe Elder Scrolls 6andFallout 5are on the cards-if not for a good while yet.
