The Elder Scrolls 6 is one of the most highly anticipated games in the history of RPGs. Since Bethesda announced the game at E3 2018 with a brief teaser trailer, fans have been eagerly awaiting more details about the next entry in the beloved Elder Scrolls franchise. While Bethesda has remained largely tight-lipped, some information has been revealed over the years. This article explores everything we currently know about The Elder Scrolls 6, including its development, setting speculation, gameplay expectations, and release timeline.
Development Status
Bethesda most recently confirmed a while back that The Elder Scrolls 6 moved past the pre-production stage and is now officially in development. That would mean the game is actively being built, which at the time they confirmed it, was a significant step forward. The last update before that was when Bethesda confirmed that The Elder Scrolls 6 was in development, but it is not the company’s primary focus at the moment. Starfield, Bethesda’s new sci-fi RPG, was prioritized first and officially launched in 2023. Todd Howard, Bethesda’s director, has stated that work on TES 6 will ramp up after Starfield’s release. Even as good as Bethesda is, they are likely years away from a release.
Possible Setting
The teaser trailer for The Elder Scrolls 6 showed a vast, mountainous landscape. This has led to speculation that the game might be set in Hammerfell or High Rock. Hammerfell, home of the Redguards, features vast deserts and coastal regions. High Rock, the home of the Bretons, is known for its medieval-style castles and political intrigue. Both regions have been underexplored in previous games, making them prime candidates for TES 6’s setting. My prediction is Hammerfell and I think it goes back to this easter egg from Starfield.
In the Starfield teaser trailer, a mark on a ship’s control console showed Iliac Bay, also known as Starfall Bay. Starfall Bay borders High Rock and Hammerfell. Hammerfell is a desert region in The Elder Scrolls that’s located in the west of Tamriel. It borders Skyrim, Cyrodiil, and High Rock. Whether it’s true or not we can bet the world we explore will be massive.
Gameplay Expectations
Bethesda has not revealed gameplay details yet. Players can expect The Elder Scrolls 6 to build upon the mechanics of Skyrim while introducing new features. Possible improvements include:
- Enhanced Graphics and World Design: With Bethesda’s new Creation Engine 2, TES 6 will likely feature improved environmental details, realistic NPC behavior, and a more immersive open world.
- Expanded Role-Playing Elements: Bethesda may introduce deeper character customization, more meaningful choices, and an expanded dialogue system.
- Improved Combat and Magic System: Fans hope for a refined combat system with more dynamic melee attacks, spell combinations, and AI behavior.
- Settlement and Economy Mechanics: There is speculation that TES 6 may feature a more interactive economy or even player-built settlements, similar to Fallout 4’s settlement system.
Multiplayer Possibilities
Bethesda has previously experimented with multiplayer elements in The Elder Scrolls Online, but it remains to be seen whether TES 6 will include any cooperative or online features. While fans largely prefer a single-player experience, some hope for optional multiplayer mechanics, such as co-op dungeon exploration. There has never been multiplayer in the single-player game, so I wouldn’t bet on there being any in The Elder Scrolls 6.
Release Timeline & Platforms
Bethesda has not announced a release date for The Elder Scrolls 6 yet. Industry analysts predict that the game will not launch until at least 2026 or later. Starfield took years to develop. So Bethesda is likely taking a similar approach with TES 6. So the actual release date is likely to be around the time of the next generation. Originally, we thought the game would almost certainly be exclusive to Xbox Series X|S and PC as that’s what we were told, following Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda.
However, we all know Xbox has transitioned to releasing games on multiple platforms. I expect to see it on PlayStation and PC as well. If the Nintendo Switch 2 is capable you can assuredly expect it to be there as well. The benefit of Xbox is that it will be in Game Pass on Day One. There is a chance of a small exclusivity window, but I can see it releasing everywhere at the same time. Things can change in the coming years and companies can shift different focuses as we know.
Final Thoughts
Much about The Elder Scrolls 6 remains a mystery. Fans can expect an expansive open world, deep RPG mechanics, and a next-generation gaming experience. With Bethesda focusing on making TES 6 a groundbreaking title, the wait may be long, but expectations are higher than ever. As more details emerge, fans will eagerly anticipate stepping into the next epic adventure in Tamriel. Let me know where you think the game will take place. Stay tuned for more updates on TES 6 in the future.
