Pete Hines Opens Up About His Bethesda Exit: “I Couldn’t Sit Here and Watch”

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For 24 years, Pete Hines was the public face of Bethesda Softworks, handling communications with the press and fans. He started in October 1999 and became a well-known figure at the studio, second only to Todd Howard. He retired in October 2023, shortly after the release of Starfield, initially stating that the game’s launch felt like a fitting end to his career. However, in a recent interview on Firezide Chat Gaming, he shared a more complex story behind his departure, revealing it wasn’t as straightforward as he previously indicated.

Hines was reluctant to leave his position. He felt a responsibility to the studio and the people within it, but ultimately realized he couldn’t effectively lead and safeguard everything they’d worked so hard to create. He’d reached a limit where he no longer had the power to make the necessary changes.

Look, I really believed in making sure our studio was one of the best, most efficient in the industry. When I started feeling like I couldn’t actually do that anymore, and I saw things going downhill – honestly, it was like watching something I cared about get messed up and treated badly. I just couldn’t stand by and watch it happen, so I knew I had to do something.

Throughout the interview, he carefully avoids mentioning Microsoft by name, but the connection is clear. In 2020, Microsoft purchased ZeniMax Media, Bethesda’s parent company, for $7.5 billion, and the deal was finalized in 2021. At the time, he publicly called it a great match. Three years later, he left the company. Shortly after his departure, Microsoft restructured its Xbox studios, bringing Bethesda and other ZeniMax companies under tighter control. Emails that came to light in 2023 also revealed his confusion about Microsoft’s decision to make Bethesda games exclusive to Xbox while simultaneously releasing games like Call of Duty on other platforms.

He decided to leave Bethesda in 2022, a year before the release of Starfield. He’d planned to depart after the game launched, but repeated delays meant he felt stuck for months longer than he wanted to be. He later described his mental health during those final years as very poor. When he finally left, he gave the standard two weeks’ notice.

Howard was the only one who understood what was about to happen. Hines says the game director helped him navigate a difficult period and leave the company while still feeling okay. He was there for Hines when things were at their worst, and that’s why Hines feels so much affection for him.

Hines explained to McKeand that the most difficult aspect was witnessing a company he deeply respected lose its core values. He’d started at Bethesda as a fan and held its employees in high esteem, but he was disappointed by how the company actually functioned. He described Bethesda’s original approach as prioritizing honesty and authenticity – doing what they promised and following through on their commitments. While he admitted the studio wasn’t perfect, he emphasized that genuine intention was always present.

Hines believes Bethesda remains disconnected from what feels real or sincere, and he doesn’t think that’s unexpected.

He felt the ending wasn’t his decision. It didn’t happen when or how he’d hoped, but it was out of his hands. He’d given it his all, but eventually, he just couldn’t go on.

During the interview, Hines spoke fondly of his former colleagues. He highlighted Erin Losi, his first hire at Bethesda, who now leads Global Marketing and Communications, describing her as a close sister and admitting he misses working with her daily. While he’s mindful of their previous boss-employee relationship, he’s found it difficult adjusting to not being in contact with her and the team he built. He even said leaving those people was harder than stepping away from working on The Elder Scrolls 6. He accepts that there will inevitably be future Elder Scrolls games he isn’t involved with, and that’s okay, but the loss of daily interaction with his team was the most painful part of leaving.

Hines spoke highly of Howard, calling him one of his closest friends and emphasizing their 24-year professional relationship as the most significant of his career. He strongly defended Howard and the entire Bethesda Game Studios team from criticism, asserting that they deserve respect for creating uniquely complex games. Hines highlighted that Bethesda allows players unparalleled freedom – to pursue quests in any order, explore without limits, and interact with the game world in ways other studios don’t attempt – and credited Howard with both visionary creativity and an exceptional work ethic that sets a high standard.

In September 2025, Hines reflected on his time with Bethesda, stating that the company has changed significantly since he first joined.

The complete Firezide Chat interview is quite comprehensive and worth watching from beginning to end.

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2026-04-29 11:41