Software:The Elder Scrolls VI

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Short description: Upcoming video game

The Elder Scrolls VI
Developer(s)Bethesda Game Studios
Publisher(s)Bethesda Softworks
Producer(s)Todd Howard
SeriesThe Elder Scrolls
EngineCreation Engine 3
Platform(s)
Genre(s)Action role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player

The Elder Scrolls VI (working title) is an upcoming action role-playing video game developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. It will be the sixth main installment in The Elder Scrolls series, following 2011's Software:The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

The project is led by game director Todd Howard, reprising his duties from previous games in the series, as well as other games developed by Bethesda Game Studios. The Elder Scrolls VI is using the new Creation Engine 3.[1] The game entered pre-production by 2018, formally being announced during Bethesda's E3 2018 conference. The game entered active production in 2023 following Starfield's launch.

Development

Background

In June 2016, Todd Howard, director and executive producer at Bethesda Game Studios, confirmed the developer's intention to make a new installment in The Elder Scrolls series, while cautioning that it remained a long way from release.[2]

According to former Bethesda designer Kurt Kuhlmann, The Elder Scrolls VI had originally been expected to follow Fallout 4 (2015), but the studio instead developed Fallout 76 (2018) and Starfield (2023). Kuhlmann attributed the decision to Howard and said that Starfield's lengthy development contributed to the extended interval between Elder Scrolls installments.[3][4]

In October 2018, ZeniMax Online Studios producer Matt Firor said that The Elder Scrolls VI remained a long way off and would follow Starfield in Bethesda Game Studios' release schedule. Bethesda Softworks' Pete Hines reiterated in May 2020 that the game was still years away and that further information would not be provided until after Starfield.[5][6]

In March 2019, Bethesda announced that YouTuber Shirley Curry ("Skyrim Grandma") would appear as a non-player character in The Elder Scrolls VI, following a fan petition advocating her inclusion.[7][8]

Following Microsoft's acquisition of ZeniMax Media in March 2021, Bethesda Game Studios became part of Xbox Game Studios.[9] Xbox CEO Phil Spencer subsequently indicated that most future Bethesda titles would be released on platforms supporting Xbox Game Pass.[10]

In 2021, Howard said that The Elder Scrolls VI was in the design phase and that its technology would build upon work undertaken for Starfield, the first Bethesda Game Studios title developed using Creation Engine 2.[11] He anticipated that the game could arrive approximately fifteen to seventeen years after Skyrim.[12]

Production

In August 2023, Todd Howard described his intent behind The Elder Scrolls VI as wanting to make "the ultimate fantasy-world simulator", and that there were many directions to take with that goal due to the time passed since Skyrim's release.[13] The game entered active production later that month following the completion of Starfield's development.[14][15][16]

On March 25, 2024, Bethesda Game Studios celebrated the 30th anniversary of The Elder Scrolls, stating that The Elder Scrolls VI is still in development and early builds are already being played.[17] In a November 2025 interview with GQ, Howard stated that The Elder Scrolls VI had become the studio's primary development priority.[18]

In a 2026 interview, former Bethesda developer Kurt Kuhlmann stated that the development team had reached an early internal consensus on the setting of The Elder Scrolls VI during the Fallout 4 development period, though he did not disclose the location and noted that no story work had been undertaken at that time.[19]

On February 18, 2026, Todd Howard stated in an interview with Kinda Funny Games that The Elder Scrolls VI is being developed as a "classic Bethesda" role-playing game, comparable to The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. He confirmed that the game runs on Creation Engine 3 and that development has passed a major internal milestone, though no release window was announced.[1][20] As part of Xbox's mass layoffs in July, there were over 50 job losses at Bethesda Game Studios that reportedly shattered morale at the studio and would delay development of The Elder Scrolls VI to an earliest release year of 2028 due to a loss of talent.[21][22]

In August 2026, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma referred to the game as The Elder Scrolls VI: ******** after viewing a live playthrough, with Bethesda Game Studios subsequently repeating the eight asterisks.[23][24][25]

Release

The game was formally announced during Bethesda's conference at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2018 event on June 10 that year, where Todd Howard presented a short teaser trailer, and revealed that the project had started pre-production, with its launch scheduled to follow the releases of the studio's imminent games in development, Fallout 76 (2018) and Starfield (2023).[26][27]

In September 2020, Microsoft entered an agreement to acquire Bethesda Softworks' parent company, ZeniMax Media for US$7.5 billion, thereby receiving ownership of Bethesda's various development teams and franchises, including Bethesda Game Studios and The Elder Scrolls, as part of Microsoft Gaming.[28] Upon the completion of the ZeniMax acquisition, former Xbox CEO Phil Spencer stated that making future Bethesda games exclusive to their platforms was done to signify his commitment to bringing "the full complete package of what we have", a sentiment he shared for other franchises under the Xbox umbrella; he also said that the game will launch after the upcoming Fable game from Playground Games, which is currently scheduled for 2027.[12][29][30] Prior to Microsoft's acquisition of ZeniMax Media, the game was initially targeting a launch date during the 2024 fiscal year period.[31]

In June 2023, Phil Spencer provided an update on the game's release timing at a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hearing concerning Microsoft's acquisition of Activision-Blizzard, stating that the title was still estimated to be "five plus years away" from launch, and that any target platforms were undecided at that particular stage.[32] Leaked internal documents submitted to the FTC from the trial period revealed the game was anticipated to launch in 2026 at the earliest for Windows and as an Xbox console exclusive.[33][34][note 1] During a July 2026 Q&A session at Bloomberg News, journalist Jason Schreier stated that The Elder Scrolls VI was still estimated to be at least two years away from release, suggesting a launch no earlier than 2028.[35] Separately, IGN reported that more than 50 employees at Bethesda Game Studios had been laid off as part of Microsoft's restructuring of its Xbox division, with current and former staff expressing concerns that the layoffs could negatively affect the game's development through delays, increased crunch, and the loss of experienced developers.[21]

Notes

  1. ↑ Due to the prolonged release, IGN said in 2023 that "According to the leak, this mysterious next generation of Xbox is tentatively planned to hit shelves in 2028. With The Elder Scrolls 6 said to be at least five years away, there's a good chance Bethesda will launch the sequel on this new Xbox platform."[34]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Zwiezen, Zack (February 18, 2026). "Elder Scrolls 6 Is Powered By New Version Of Creation Engine" (in en-US). https://kotaku.com/elder-scrolls-6-is-powered-by-new-version-of-creation-engine-starfield-classic-rpg-2000670744. 
  2. ↑ Chalk, Andy (June 14, 2016). "The Elder Scrolls 6 is in development, Todd Howard confirms" (in en-GB). PC Gamer. https://www.pcgamer.com/the-elder-scrolls-6-is-in-development-todd-howard-confirms/. "Howard described the game's status as "kind of the elephant in the room", adding, "It's good to tell our fans in these moments, yes, of course we are [making The Elder Scrolls VI]."" 
  3. ↑ Horti, Samuel (January 15, 2026). "Bethesda's former Elder Scrolls loremaster on why he left, Starfield's 'communication breakdowns', and how he wanted The Elder Scrolls 6 'to be The Empire Strikes Back'" (in en-GB). https://www.pcgamer.com/games/the-elder-scrolls/bethesdas-former-elder-scrolls-loremaster-on-why-he-left-starfields-communication-breakdowns-and-how-he-wanted-the-elder-scrolls-6-to-be-the-empire-strikes-back/. "Kuhlmann said that Starfield "became this extremely long project compared to other ones"." 
  4. ↑ Wood, Austin (September 8, 2026). ""Most people wanted" to make The Elder Scrolls 6 after Fallout 4, says Skyrim co-lead, but then Todd Howard said "No, we're doing Starfield"" (in en-GB). https://www.gamesradar.com/games/rpg/most-people-wanted-to-make-the-elder-scrolls-6-after-fallout-4-says-skyrim-co-lead-but-then-todd-howard-said-no-were-doing-starfield/. "Kuhlmann recalled Howard saying, "No, we're doing Starfield", when most of the studio wanted to proceed with The Elder Scrolls VI." 
  5. ↑ Makuch, Eddie (January 7, 2019). "Elder Scrolls 6 Is A Long Way Off, Might Not Launch Until Next Generation Of Consoles" (in en-US). https://www.gamespot.com/articles/elder-scrolls-6-is-a-long-way-off-might-not-launch/1100-6462813/. 
  6. ↑ Croft, Liam (May 11, 2020). "The Elder Scrolls 6 News and Details Are Still Years Away" (in en-GB). https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2020/05/the_elder_scrolls_6_news_and_details_are_still_years_away. 
  7. ↑ Livingston, Christopher (March 29, 2019). "Skyrim Grandma Shirley Curry will be in The Elder Scrolls 6". PC Gamer. https://www.pcgamer.com/skyrim-grandma-shirley-curry-will-be-in-the-elder-scrolls-6/. 
  8. ↑ Santangelo, Nick (November 26, 2018). "Fans Petition to Immortalize Skyrim-Playing Grandma in Elder Scrolls 6" (in en-US). https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/11/26/fans-petition-to-immortalize-skyrim-playing-grandma-in-elder-scrolls-6. 
  9. ↑ Spencer, Phil (March 9, 2021). "Officially Welcoming Bethesda to Team Xbox" (in en-US). https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2021/03/09/officially-welcoming-bethesda-to-the-xbox-family/. 
  10. ↑ Holt, Kris (September 20, 2022). "Xbox chief says the Bethesda deal will deliver 'great exclusive games'" (in en-US). https://www.engadget.com/xbox-bethesda-game-pass-exclusives-roundtable-phil-spencer-184648938.html. "Spencer said the company would continue supporting existing titles and contractual obligations on other platforms, while future Bethesda releases would primarily appear on "platforms where Xbox Game Pass exists"." 
  11. ↑ Strickland, Derek (June 30, 2023). "Starfield's new Creation Engine took 'so long to do,' Bethesda's Todd Howard happy with results" (in en-US). https://www.tweaktown.com/news/92159/starfields-new-creation-engine-took-so-long-to-do-bethesdas-todd-howard-happy-with-results/index.html. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 White, Sam (November 15, 2021). "How Xbox outgrew the console: inside Phil Spencer's multi-billion dollar gamble" (in en-GB). https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/xbox-phil-spencer-todd-howard-interview. "Howard anticipated that the game would "arrive some fifteen to seventeen years after Skyrim"." 
  13. ↑ Lyles, Taylor (August 24, 2023). "In Hindsight, Todd Howard Probably Would Have Announced Elder Scrolls 6 'More Casually'" (in en-US). https://www.ign.com/articles/elder-scrolls-6-announced-too-early. 
  14. ↑ Dinsdale, Ryan (August 30, 2023). "The Elder Scrolls 6 Officially in Early Development, but Don't Expect to Hear About It Soon" (in en-US). https://www.ign.com/articles/the-elder-scrolls-6-officially-in-early-development-but-dont-expect-to-hear-about-it-soon. 
  15. ↑ Chalk, Andy (August 30, 2023). "The Elder Scrolls 6 is out of 'pre-production' but Pete Hines says it will be 'years' before we start hearing about it" (in en-GB). PC Gamer. https://www.pcgamer.com/the-elder-scrolls-6-is-out-of-pre-production-but-pete-hines-says-it-will-be-years-before-we-start-hearing-about-it/. 
  16. ↑ Matas, Fran G. (August 29, 2023). "Pete Hines de Bethesda nos descubre todas las claves de Starfield" (in es-ES). https://vandal.elespanol.com/noticia/1350764901/entrevista-a-pete-hines-las-posibilidades-de-starfield-y-el-futuro-de-bethesda/. 
  17. ↑ Yin-Poole, Wesley (March 25, 2024). "As The Elder Scrolls Turns 30, Bethesda Issues Brief The Elder Scrolls 6 Update" (in en-US). https://www.ign.com/articles/as-the-elder-scrolls-turns-30-bethesda-issues-brief-the-elder-scrolls-6-update. 
  18. ↑ White, Sam (November 10, 2025). "Todd Howard on 10 years of Fallout 4 and The Elder Scrolls 6: 'We needed a creative reset'" (in en-GB). https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/fallout-4-anniversary-todd-howard-interview. 
  19. ↑ Brown, Fraser (January 28, 2026). "Bethesda's former Elder Scrolls loremaster won't tell us where The Elder Scrolls 6 is set, but the team originally agreed on it way back in the Fallout 4 days" (in en-GB). https://www.pcgamer.com/games/the-elder-scrolls/bethesdas-former-elder-scrolls-loremaster-wont-tell-us-where-the-elder-scrolls-6-is-set-but-the-team-originally-agreed-on-it-way-back-in-the-fallout-4-days/. 
  20. ↑ Kinda Funny Games (February 18, 2026). Todd Howard Returns! - Kinda Funny Gamescast. YouTube. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Phillips, Tom (July 9, 2026). "The Elder Scrolls 6 Will Suffer Because of Xbox Layoffs, Bethesda Staff Say, Fearing Delays, Crunch, and Generational Talent Being Replaced by Contractors" (in en-US). https://www.ign.com/articles/the-elder-scrolls-6-will-suffer-because-of-xbox-layoffs-bethesda-staff-say-fearing-delays-crunch-and-generational-talent-being-replaced-by-contractors. 
  22. ↑ Peppiatt, Dom (July 9, 2026). "Even The Elder Scrolls 6 is affected by Xbox layoffs, say Bethesda employees, as "key" people are let go and morale bottoms out" (in en-GB). https://www.eurogamer.net/elder-scrolls-6-morale-bethesda-xbox-layoffs. 
  23. ↑ Fenlon, Wes (12 August 2026). "Xbox's CEO teased that she's seen The Elder Scrolls 6, so now we have to guess what it's called". https://www.pcgamer.com/games/the-elder-scrolls/xboxs-ceo-teased-that-shes-seen-the-elder-scrolls-6-so-now-we-have-to-guess-what-its-called/. 
  24. ↑ Bailey, Dustin (13 August 2026). "The Elder Scrolls 6: Sentinel could be the title of Bethesda's next RPG according to a solid fan theory that dates back to a Starfield teaser". https://www.gamesradar.com/games/the-elder-scrolls/the-elder-scrolls-6-sentinel-could-be-the-title-of-bethesdas-next-rpg-according-to-a-solid-fan-theory-that-dates-back-to-a-starfield-teaser/.  The Sentinel theory was based partly on an employee number displayed during character creation in Starfield, 190514-2009140512, which fans interpreted by separating it into two-digit numbers corresponding to letters of the alphabet, producing "SENTINEL". Sentinel is a city and kingdom in Hammerfell, a region previously speculated as a possible setting for The Elder Scrolls VI.
  25. ↑ Koselke, Anna (12 August 2026). "Elder Scrolls 6 setting theory backed by ex-Bethesda dev as fans try to decipher Xbox CEO's teaser". https://www.gamesradar.com/games/the-elder-scrolls/elder-scrolls-6-setting-theory-backed-by-ex-bethesda-dev-as-fans-try-to-decipher-xbox-ceos-teaser/.  Former Bethesda writer and designer Michael Kirkbride further fuelled the speculation by responding "Yep" to a fan proposing Sentinel as the title.
  26. ↑ "The Future of Bethesda Game Studios" (in en-US). June 10, 2018. https://bethesda.net/en/article/4Yi6homiZqQI84sy44aIUI/starfield-and-the-elder-scrolls-vi-teaser. 
  27. ↑ O'Connor, James (June 11, 2018). "Elder Scrolls 6 is in 'pre-production', while Starfield is in a playable state" (in en). https://www.vg247.com/elder-scrolls-6-is-in-pre-production-while-starfield-is-in-a-playable-state. 
  28. ↑ Bass, Dina; Schreier, Jason (September 21, 2020). "Microsoft to Buy Bethesda for $7.5 Billion to Boost Xbox" (in en-US). Bloomberg. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-21/microsoft-to-buy-bethesda-studios-for-7-5-billion-to-boost-xbox. 
  29. ↑ Peters, Jay (November 15, 2021). "Phil Spencer basically confirms The Elder Scrolls VI is an Xbox exclusive" (in en-US). https://www.theverge.com/2021/11/15/22783314/elder-scrolls-6-xbox-exclusive-pc-phil-spencer. 
  30. ↑ Yin-Poole, Wesley (February 25, 2025). "Fable Delayed to 2026, Microsoft Reveals Brand New Pre-Alpha Gameplay" (in en-US). https://www.ign.com/articles/fable-delayed-to-2026-microsoft-reveals-brand-new-pre-alpha-gameplay. 
  31. ↑ Peters, Jay (September 19, 2023). "Microsoft documents leak new Bethesda games, including an Oblivion remaster" (in en-US). https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/19/23880132/microsoft-ftc-documents-leak-oblivion-fallout-3-remaster-doom-xbox. 
  32. ↑ Plant, Logan (June 23, 2023). "The Elder Scrolls 6 Still 'Five+ Years Away', PlayStation Version Undecided" (in en-US). https://www.ign.com/articles/the-elder-scrolls-6-still-five-years-away-playstation-version-undecided. 
  33. ↑ Taylor, Mollie (September 19, 2023). "The Elder Scrolls 6 is at least 3 years away, probably more, and there's bad news for PlayStation fans" (in en-GB). PC Gamer. https://www.pcgamer.com/the-elder-scrolls-6-is-at-least-3-years-away-probably-more-and-theres-bad-news-for-playstation-fans/. 
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Williams, Callum (December 19, 2023). "The Elder Scrolls 6: Everything We Know About the Upcoming Bethesda RPG" (in en-US). https://www.ign.com/articles/elder-scrolls-6-latest-news-trailers-rumors-release-date. 
  35. ↑ Koepp, Brent (July 7, 2026). "The Elder Scrolls 6 Is Reportedly Still 2 to 3 Years Away From Release". https://www.vice.com/en/article/elder-scrolls-6-release-date-update/. 

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