Summary
- Elder Scrolls 6 released a brief teaser in 2018 but has remained largely silent for nearly seven years since.
- Bethesda has provided minimal updates, focusing instead on releasing Fallout 76 and Starfield while fans grow increasingly frustrated.
- The game is currently in active development using Creation Engine 2, with a projected release window of 2026 or later.
It has been a long test of patience between fans and Elder Scrolls 6. While highly anticipated, it started to generate frustration from fans since its announcement way back in 2018. Take a look at what happened with Elder Scrolls 6 throughout the seven years.
The 2018 Announcement That Started It All
Todd Howard, Bethesda Game Studios director, took the stage at E3 2018 to reveal the confirmation of The Elder Scrolls 6. Many fans celebrated and were instantly excited by this announcement. With a 36-second teaser featuring landscape shots of Tamriel, it gathered attention from The Elder Scrolls players.
Moreover, it has been seven years since Skyrim’s release in 2011 which adds up to the excitement. However, this sequel eventually begins the frustrating waiting game and silence from Bethesda. Due to this, many think that the announcement at the E3 event was prematurely done.
Some of the major games announced at the same event were released already. Further, some moved on to sequels or expansions through downloadable content. These titles include Fallout 76, The Last of Us Part 2, Halo Infinite, and Ghost of Tsushima. All made noise in the market, attracting attention from the gaming community. Now, the mystery remains as to what happened with The Elder Scrolls 6.
Seven Years of Radio Silence
After the brief teaser, Bethesda has not released any substantial updates regarding the development of The Elder Scrolls 6. Instead, they only offered occasional reassurance that they were still working on the game. Todd Howard also mentioned in the recent Oblivion Remastered livestream that they’re working on its sixth chapter.
Yet, the silence turned frustrating and disappointing for fans who eagerly waited for its release. Some fan communities express their saltiness about the lack of news despite gathering at many major gaming events. Even the recent Xbox Game Showcase failed to share a glimpse of the current developments with The Elder Scrolls 6. Year after year, the fans are growing tired of waiting for an update.
Some fans are joking about having zero expectations of another Elder Scrolls within their lifetime. There has been a dramatic shift in console generations since 2018 which The Elder Scrolls 6 might have to confront later on.
What Bethesda Has Been Doing Instead
So, where was Bethesda amid the radio silence with Elder Scrolls 6? The studio released two major titles over the last few years. They launched the Fallout 76 in 2018 and Starfield in 2023, which both received lukewarm responses from the community. It appears they’ve been working on several titles following the sequel announcement.
Moreover, Bethesda recently surprised fans with a remastered version of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered. With this, many became interested in the franchise again while anticipating news about their sixth title. Besides The Elder Scrolls 6 release, the studio also confirmed Fallout 5 release.
Current Development Status and Release Expectations
Now, what does Bethesda say so far about The Elder Scrolls 6? Currently, The Elder Scrolls 6 is beyond pre-production and is in active development. They are creating the game using Creation Engine 2, which was used to power Starfield. However, there will be specific modifications to support the game’s unique requirements.
Based on the recent reports, early builds of The Elder Scrolls 6 are played internally at Bethesda. This might suggest that the developments are now beyond the conceptual stage. However, the projected release window remains unclear as some estimate it to be in 2026 or later. But for some industry experts, the 2027 timeline appears to be more realistic.
Certainly, Bethesda is taking cautious steps in designing the game, making sure it lasts at least a decade. Like Skyrim, they want The Elder Scrolls 6 to have enduring popularity among gamers despite newer game titles. So, players can expect replayability and long-term content support for this title.
Where Will The Elder Scrolls 6 Be Available
As the title remains as highly anticipated, some ask what platforms will the game be available. Earlier statements hint at a multi-platform release after leaked documents from a Microsoft case. The title may be exclusive to Xbox and PC however the door remains open for releases on other platforms.
Furthermore, some suggest the game to be in Hammerfell according to clues from Bethesda. These came from the hints in some of their social media posts and easter eggs in other games. The Elder Scrolls 6 will stand unique by serving as Redguards’ home, featuring diversified environments.
Conclusion
That answers what happened with Elder Scrolls 6 following its official confirmation back in 2018. The lack of updates from Bethesda has been making their fan community disappointed and frustrated. Yet, The Elder Scrolls 6 remains to be awaited by players who specifically enjoy the franchise. So far, fans will have to wait whether the game will be possible for a 2026 release window.
