Case Study: Skyrim 10
Overview
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Bethesda Softworks’ seminal title Skyrim, Artifact collaborated with Bethesda to record a live performance of the game’s soundtrack with the London Philharmonic. We then weaved the stories of fans whose lives were profoundly changed by their experience with the game into the concert video.
The Challenge
Ten years is a lifetime in the gaming world. Our goal was not only to celebrate the continued relevance of Skyrim, but to show the truly profound impact the game has had on the lives of its players. With tens of millions of copies sold, Skyrim is one of the most successful games of the past 25 years; our challenge was to find that handful of players who were willing to share their powerful stories and to tell those stories in a way that was accessible, respectful and on par with the quality of the game.
Our Approach
With casting skills honed by years of documentary filmmaking experience, Artifact conducted comprehensive research across multiple platforms and through the community’s word of mouth to unearth incredible and forgotten stories. We chose players with experiences that would connect not only with gamers or fellow Skyrim fans but with everyone who has a deep connection with storytelling. Once identified, we applied a cinematic approach to the production that matched the artistry of the game and the London Philharmonic performance.
Results
With over 3.5 million views to date, the Skyrim 10-year anniversary concert and fan celebration is a testament to the power of a truly amazing game. Ultimately, we created a fitting tribute not just to the enduring legacy and influence of Skyrim, but for gaming writ-large. The fan vignettes told powerful stories of the impact of the game, providing a small sample of how a game as deep and rich as Skyrim can affect its audience.