Bethesda Game Studios has paid tribute to Sir Patrick Stewart following the beloved actor’s death at 86, remembering him as the voice of Emperor Uriel Septim VII in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion. “An emperor, a captain, and an inspiration to us all,” the studio wrote — a message that has resonated deeply with gamers and Star Trek fans alike.
Patrick Stewart as Emperor Uriel Septim VII (Credits: IGN / Bethesda)
It was announced earlier today that Stewart, best known for his roles in Star Trek and X-Men, had died at 86. The news came as a shock to many, and social media has been full of tributes. Many of his longtime collaborators, including William Shatner, Kevin Feige, and Hugh Jackman, shared kind words about their time working with him.
Bethesda’s Patrick Stewart tribute and the Emperor of Oblivion
Stewart had a brief role in Oblivion as Emperor Uriel Septim VII, who is killed off at the very beginning of the game. Despite having minimal screen time, his character is the one who introduces you to the world of Cyrodiil and the looming threats you will contend with throughout the adventure. His voice is the first thing millions of players heard when starting the game, and it set the tone for one of the most beloved RPGs ever made.
Even for a role with less than ten minutes of screen time, Bethesda’s care was extraordinary. The studio put together a massive, reportedly 90-page document about the history and details of the Emperor. The team worried they had gone too far and that Stewart might ignore it all — but executive producer Todd Howard later said the actor was thrilled with the depth they had given the character and was excited to play him.
How Stewart won over the Oblivion developers
In a behind-the-scenes documentary about the making of Oblivion, developers gathered in a room to listen to Stewart’s first recordings, gushing over how well he performed lines that some of them had feared would sound cheesy. One developer was so enamored by Stewart’s career that he reportedly carried around a picture of the actor in his wallet.
Alongside Oblivion, fans have also been remembering Stewart’s other game roles — including his voice work in games like Castlevania — a reminder that the stage and screen legend left his mark on the gaming world too. Bethesda’s tribute captures it perfectly: “Rest in peace to Sir Patrick Stewart — an emperor, a captain, and an inspiration to us all. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.”
Also Read: Remembering Patrick Stewart: His Greatest Roles From Picard to Professor X | The Elder Scrolls 6 Reportedly Subtitled ‘Sentinel’ With Hammerfell Setting
Source: IGN — read the full story there.
