The Elder Scrolls 6, the highly anticipated sequel to Skyrim, has been a subject of intense speculation, excitement, and anticipation since its official announcement back in 2018. As one of the most successful franchises in the world of open-world role-playing games, its fans are eagerly awaiting every shred of information about what’s next for the series. Though concrete details are still scarce, Bethesda Game Studios has released enough information over the years to fuel countless theories and speculations. Here’s everything we know so far about The Elder Scrolls 6.
Release Date Speculation
The wait for The Elder Scrolls 6 has been long, with fans eagerly watching every update from Bethesda. In recent years, the development of the game has been officially acknowledged, though it’s clear the game is still in the early stages of production.
Bethesda has confirmed that The Elder Scrolls 6 has moved out of pre-production and is now in active development. However, despite the game being underway, it is still a long way from release. The official projection for the release is “early 2026,” although, as of now, no specific launch date has been set.
One of the reasons for the extended wait is that Bethesda has been fully invested in the post-launch content and updates for Starfield, the company’s ambitious space-faring RPG, which was released in 2023. Since much of Bethesda’s resources are still being directed at Starfield, The Elder Scrolls 6 will likely remain in development for a few more years. However, it’s reassuring for fans to know that progress is being made, and there is tangible forward movement on the game’s production.
In March 2024, during the 30th anniversary celebration of The Elder Scrolls, it was revealed that “early builds” of the game were being played internally at Bethesda. While this news is exciting, it also highlights how much work is still to be done before the game is ready for public release.
Game Engine and Technological Advancements
Bethesda’s games are known for their immersive worlds and groundbreaking design. To achieve this level of quality, the studio uses the Creation Engine, which has been the backbone of many of their RPGs. In fact, The Elder Scrolls 6 is being developed on an updated version of this same engine, with adjustments made to meet the technical demands of the new game.
In a 2021 interview with The Telegraph, Todd Howard, the director of Bethesda Game Studios, explained that both Starfield and The Elder Scrolls 6 are using the Creation Engine 2. As he mentioned, the technology used for The Elder Scrolls 6 will see several improvements based on the lessons learned from Starfield. Howard also emphasized that the development team was working on “new suites of technology” to ensure the game’s world would be as rich and engaging as possible, meeting the needs of the players while leveraging the latest advancements in gaming technology.
Possible Location of Elder Scrolls 6
One of the most exciting aspects of The Elder Scrolls games is the expansive and richly detailed worlds they create. With Skyrim being set in the cold and rugged northern province of Tamriel, fans are eager to see where the next game will take them. While Bethesda has yet to officially confirm the exact setting of The Elder Scrolls 6, fans have already begun speculating based on subtle hints and clues dropped by the studio.
A major theory that has gained traction involves the region of Hammerfell, the home of the Redguards. This theory gained momentum after an official post from the Elder Scrolls Twitter account in 2024. The post, celebrating the New Year, included a map of Skyrim, along with the words “transcribe the past and map the future.” Sharp-eyed fans noticed that one of the candles in the image was placed just southwest of Skyrim’s borders, near Hammerfell. This suggests that the next Elder Scrolls game could be set in Hammerfell, though this is still purely speculative.
We're excited to announce our next chapter, The Elder Scrolls VI. pic.twitter.com/3aF5evUsnY
— Bethesda Game Studios (@BethesdaStudios) June 11, 2018
Fans have long considered Hammerfell a possible location for the next Elder Scrolls game, given the rich lore surrounding the Redguards and their interesting cultural history. If the game were to take place in Hammerfell, players could expect to explore desert landscapes, bustling trade cities, and dangerous wilderness. Moreover, the distinct architecture and culture of the Redguards would provide a refreshing change of pace from the Nordic setting of Skyrim.
Platforms for Elder Scrolls 6
Another crucial aspect of The Elder Scrolls 6 is its availability across platforms. While the game’s release is still a few years away, rumors have already begun circulating about the platforms it will be available on.
At this point, it seems that The Elder Scrolls 6 will be a PC and Xbox exclusive title, though there has been no official confirmation from Bethesda. The speculation stems from a leaked document during the FTC v. Microsoft case, which mentioned that the game would be launching on both Xbox and PC. Given that Bethesda is now a subsidiary of Microsoft, this would align with the strategy of making Bethesda’s content available on Xbox Game Pass, ensuring it’s available to Xbox and PC players at launch.
Although Todd Howard has said that it’s “hard to imagine” not bringing The Elder Scrolls 6 to multiple platforms, the likelihood of the game appearing on PlayStation 5 seems increasingly unlikely. Xbox has made it clear that it will continue to buy more studios and prioritize its platform, so PlayStation fans may have to wait before they get access to the game.
That being said, Xbox CFO Tim Stuart clarified that while some Bethesda titles may be exclusive to Xbox, the company still intends to release games across other platforms in the long run. Therefore, even if The Elder Scrolls 6 is initially an Xbox exclusive, it’s possible that it will eventually come to PlayStation or other platforms in the future. However, it’s likely that Xbox and PC players will have early or better access to the game, thanks to its presence on Xbox Game Pass.
Elder Scrolls 6 Trailer and Visuals
One of the most exciting moments in the lead-up to The Elder Scrolls 6 was the reveal of its teaser trailer during E3 2018. This short but impactful 36-second clip showcased the game’s title, accompanied by a stirring musical score and a glimpse of a vast, unexplored landscape. Fans were immediately hyped, though little about the game itself was revealed.
Since then, there has been no additional footage or trailers, leaving fans hungry for more details about the game’s world, characters, and gameplay mechanics. The teaser’s lack of concrete details only adds to the anticipation, leaving the community to speculate endlessly about what the game will offer.
While we’ve only seen a few seconds of the world in The Elder Scrolls 6, fans are already theorizing about its possible settings and visual style. Given Bethesda’s impressive track record of creating visually stunning open-world games, there’s little doubt that The Elder Scrolls 6 will feature cutting-edge graphics and an immersive environment.
Theories and Expectations
As the waiting game for The Elder Scrolls 6 continues, fans have come up with countless theories about what the game might entail. Some of these are based on official statements from Todd Howard and the development team, while others are purely speculative. One popular theory is that The Elder Scrolls 6 will introduce new gameplay mechanics and systems, possibly influenced by the technology advancements seen in Starfield.
In an interview with IGN, Todd Howard mentioned that one of the challenges with designing the game was the need to create a title that could remain relevant and playable for years, if not decades. This suggests that The Elder Scrolls 6 will emphasize replayability, perhaps offering dynamic storylines and decisions that significantly impact the world and narrative.
One theory that has been circulating online is the potential inclusion of a “plague” as a central narrative theme. Fans have pointed to the term Redfall, which was trademarked by Bethesda in 2018, and speculated that it could refer to a deadly plague sweeping through Tamriel. This theory ties into existing Elder Scrolls lore, particularly the Only Cure quest, which mentions a plague in the region of High Rock. Could Redfall be the name of a plague, or perhaps a larger event that shapes the course of the story in The Elder Scrolls 6? Only time will tell.
Another interesting piece of speculation revolves around the game’s focus on the Daedric Princes. While little has been confirmed about the game’s story, many believe that The Elder Scrolls 6 will introduce new Daedric characters and factions, expanding on the already rich lore surrounding these powerful entities.
Conclusion
While The Elder Scrolls 6 remains one of the most anticipated games in recent memory, fans will have to be patient as Bethesda takes its time to create the next chapter in this legendary franchise. From the current details, we know that the game is progressing in development, though it will likely be a few more years before it’s ready for release.
The speculation surrounding the game’s setting, platform exclusivity, and potential narrative have kept fans excited and engaged. Whether it’s a return to Hammerfell, the inclusion of new gameplay systems, or the possibility of a new Daedric crisis, The Elder Scrolls 6 is shaping up to be a game that will build on the strengths of its predecessors while offering something fresh and innovative.
For now, all we can do is wait and see what Bethesda has in store. But with their reputation for creating immersive, expansive worlds, there’s no doubt that The Elder Scrolls 6 will be worth the wait.