Summary
Skyrimis no stranger to Easter Eggs, but its nod to a world-famous arcade game takes the cake. While it’s easy to stumble past in the gameplay, a fleeting visual reference to Pac-Man is unmistakable.
WhileThe Elder Scrollshas always been a successful franchise,Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimtook the series over the edge. The release ofSkyrimin 2011 sparked a movement as a generation of players took to exploring the game’s intricately designed world. One need look no further than a multitude of fan-madeSkyrimworld maps to show the passion that the 12-year-old game still inspires.
Skyrim Pac-Man Easter Egg
Yet there’s always room for mystery. Part ofSkyrim’s enduring appeal is the sheerbreadth and scale of its world, and hidden in many nooks and crannies are rare finds. One such find was aPac-Maneaster egg inSkyrimdiscovered in 2021. Nestled in the city of Markarth, the clear nod to the legendary 1980s arcade game is good evidence thatSkyrimstill has some tricks up its sleeve.
Markarth isn’t an obvious choice for a lighthearted visual callback toPac-Man. A region known for its silver mines manned by convicts, the mountainous Markarth is as industrious as it is dangerous, yet it’s here, tucked away insilversmith Endon’s house, where the reference lies. Resting on a low shelf is aneatly sliced cheese wheel. Immediately to the cheese wheel’s right are three bulbs of garlic, followed by asmall bowl of glow dust. Lying on the cheese wheel itself is aslaughterfish egg. The black egg is positioned on the wheel like an eye, whose slice makes it resemble theProgram-And-Controlplayer character fromPac-Man. The bulbs of garlic and bowl resemble the pellets that Pac-Man eats as he works his way through the maze.
“Blood and silver are what flows through Markarth.” - Skyrim loading screen.
Other Easter Eggs in Skyrim
While this reference to Pac-Man is certainly striking, it’s not without precedent inSkyrim. There are many easter eggs inSkyrim, including references to other games.Skyrim’s Notched Pickaxe, a tool that boosts mining, is a direct reference to Minecraft’s creator,Markus “Notch” Persson.
The pickaxe is located on top of the Throat of the World, lodged in rock adjacent to several ore veins. A motif in“Distant Horizons”from theSkyrimsoundtrack is a cheeky nod toStar Wars: Knights of the Old Republic,which composer Jeremy Soule also scored.
Skyrim’s Influences
Skyrim’s reference to a 1980s arcade game might seem a bit strange. After all, aside from the fact that bothPac-ManandSkyrimare amongthe best-selling games of all time, the two have very little in common.
Yet the reasoning is made clearer upon a look atSkyrim’s creators.Skyrim’s director, Todd Howard, came of age in the Wild West era of 1980s video gaming. A new sub-genre seemed to developed every few seconds, and it was in this environment that Howard first became interested in the possibilities of gaming. Among Howard’s favorites were RPG’sWizardryandUltima 3: Exodus.
GivenSkyrim’s director’s 8-bit upbringing, it seems natural that his work would include a slick homage to the gaming world’s early days. And whileElder Scrolls 6’s releasemay be years away, it’s fun to know thatSkyrimcan still offer fun moments of surprise. Theseinnocuous nods to the pastcould be good omens for things to come in the future.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
WHERE TO PLAY
Winner of more than 200 Game of the Year Awards, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim celebrates 10 years of adventuring in stunning detail. The Anniversary Edition includes a decade worth of content: the critically acclaimed core game and add-ons of Skyrim Special Edition, plus Creation Club content released on or prior to July 27, 2025.EPIC FANTASY REBORNSkyrim reimagines and revolutionizes the open-world fantasy epic, bringing to life a complete virtual world open for you to explore any way you choose.LIVE ANOTHER LIFE, IN ANOTHER WORLDPlay any type of character you’re able to imagine, and do whatever you want; the legendary freedom of choice, storytelling, and adventure of The Elder Scrolls is realized like never before.YOU ARE WHAT YOU PLAYChoose from hundreds of weapons, spells, and abilities. The new character system allows you to play any way you want and define yourself through your actions.BATTLE DRAGONSBattle ancient dragons like you’ve never seen. As Dragonborn, learn their secrets and harness their power for yourself.
