Elder Scrolls: Blades proves that AAA publishers still don’t get mobile

At this point, we’re starting to think that AAA console and PC publishers are all creating mobile games from the same dated guidebook. Each time we see a new offering from them, it always seems to feature the same flaws.

Energy systems, wait timers, town building mechanics, and crappy touch screen controls are a common theme whenever AAA publishers dip into mobile gaming – most recently with Elder Scrolls: Blades.

Blades ticks most of those boxes and a few more besides. While we’d love to say that loot boxes are a thing of the past, they’re still absolutely rife on mobile. At least Blades has one modern feature, right?

Why is it that AAA developers capable of creating incredible work just can’t translate that on mobile?

Why is it that developers that create some of the most amazing work on core platforms just can’t seem to grasp exactly what we’re looking for on mobile?

It’s not even particularly out of the ordinary. All we really want is condensed versions of these core games that are more suited to playing while on the go.

Not only does that allow us to play in short spurts but it also serves to provide us with a sort of demo experience of the real thing, which could serve as a stepping stone between mobile and console games.

Nintendo got it right with Fire Emblem Heroes and, at least in gameplay terms, Super Mario Run. The less said about Animal Crossing Pocket Camp the better, but at least there’s a semblance of understanding of what we want from our mobile games.

Diablo: Immortal also recently demonstrated a total misunderstanding of the platform

Blizzard also recently made a huge error in its announcement of Diablo: Immortal, an upcoming mobile MMORPG by NetEase, which basically just looks like a reskin of Crusaders of Light.

Who wanted that? Surely Diablo III, a stripped down version, or at least an earlier entry in the Diablo franchise would have been more suited? At the very least, we could have just got a mini version of Diablo for mobile.

Because that’s what we really want. Actual games, just on our mobile phones. Sure, make them better suited to shorter playing sessions but don’t compromise on the gameplay.