Elder Scrolls Creator's First Game Features OP Bugged Killers Turned Canon

Players diving into the 1995 action title Terminator: Future Shock might recall encountering an intriguing anomaly: Terminators seamlessly passing through solid walls. Nearly thirty years later, the rationale behind this peculiar occurrence emerges: a persistent bug within the game, acknowledged by the designer who opted to integrate these formidable foes into the game's lore instead of resolving the issue through patches.

The Terminator: Future Shock — (Photo : Bethesda Softworks / Screenshot taken from Play Old Games website.)

Collision Bug Embraced as Canon

During a recent roundtable discussion on RPGs with PC Gamer, Ted Peterson, a seasoned video game developer renowned for his involvement in the Elder Scrolls series, revealed that his inaugural game suffered from a notable collision bug. This glitch, permitting Terminators to traverse obstacles effortlessly, led Peterson to address it in the game's manual, attributing the phenomenon to reports from Skynet and advising players to "be on the lookout."

When asked whether the bugged Terminators were ever rectified, Peterson humorously confirmed their enduring presence within the game. Despite the passage of time, ongoing reports of collision issues within "Future Shock" persist, extending beyond the confines of the Terminators.

Reflections on Gaming History

The recent revelation of a long-standing game secret provides a nostalgic glimpse into the gaming landscape of yesteryears. It also serves as a reminder of a bygone era when game updates and patches were nonexistent.

In 1995, internet access remained a luxury for many households, making post-release bug fixes a distant possibility. Unlike the modern era of day-one patches and ongoing updates, players during that time were compelled to contend with the game's original state until a sequel emerged.

Such discoveries offer intriguing insights into the rich tapestry of gaming history. Recent revelations, such as the discovery of the cult classic horror game "Alien Resurrection" serving as a "boot disk" for playing burned PS1 games, continue to captivate gamers with their unexpected twists long after their initial release.