The Elder Scrolls VI remains one of gaming's most anticipated sequels, with fans waiting over 14 years since Skyrim's 2011 release for the next mainline entry in Bethesda's legendary fantasy RPG series.
According to Bethesda Game Studios director Todd Howard, development is "progressing really well" as the studio focuses its efforts on what Howard has called "the ultimate simulator of a fantasy world."
Here's everything we know about The Elder Scrolls VI so far.
Quick Specs at a Glance
| Release Date | 2026 or later (expected) |
| Platforms | Windows, Xbox Series X|S (PlayStation possible later) |
| Developer | Bethesda Game Studios |
| Publisher | Bethesda Softworks (Microsoft Gaming) |
| Engine | Creation Engine 2 (same as Starfield) |
| Game Pass | Day one availability confirmed |
| Setting | Hammerfell or High Rock (rumored) |
Release Date and Availability
The Elder Scrolls VI is expected to release in "2026 or later," according to Wikipedia and court documents from the FTC v. Microsoft case. Bethesda has been deliberately vague about timing, with Todd Howard telling GQ in November 2025 that the game is "still very far" from launch.
According to Howard, Bethesda will take all the time needed to deliver the best possible game.
"My perfect version, and I'm not saying this is going to happen, is that it's going to be a while and then, one day, the game will just appear,"
Howard said, referencing the surprise release strategy used for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered in 2025.
The game will launch on Xbox Game Pass on day one, confirmed by Microsoft's acquisition of Bethesda parent company ZeniMax Media.
While initial documents suggested Xbox and PC exclusivity, Microsoft's recent strategy of releasing first-party titles on PlayStation (like Sea of Thieves) makes a later PlayStation release increasingly likely.
Development Status and Timeline
Bethesda first announced The Elder Scrolls VI during its E3 2018 conference with a brief teaser trailer that confirmed the project had entered pre-production.
According to former Bethesda lead artist Nate Purkeypile, the game was announced so early because "it had been so long already since Skyrim that we needed to make sure people were not just pissed at us."
Development progressed slowly as Bethesda focused on other projects. According to former co-lead designer Kurt Kuhlmann, if not for Fallout 76 and Starfield, The Elder Scrolls VI would have arrived much sooner.
"From my point of view, I've been waiting like 11 years to be the lead on TES6," Kuhlmann told PC Gamer in January 2026.
Currently, Howard confirmed to Game Informer in December 2025 that "the majority of the studio's on VI" and development is "progressing really well." However, he emphasized the studio prioritizes getting the game right over hitting a specific date.
In February 2025, Bethesda held a Make-A-Wish charity auction allowing one winner to create an NPC for The Elder Scrolls VI. The winning bid of $85,000 was later matched by the UESP (Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages) community to memorialize longtime fan and roleplayer Loranna Pyrel as an in-game character.
The auction suggests Bethesda is confident enough in the game's progress to commit to including fan-created content.
Technical Foundation and Engine
The Elder Scrolls VI will be the second game developed on Bethesda's Creation Engine 2, following Starfield's 2023 release.
According to Todd Howard's 2021 interview with The Telegraph, the engine represents Bethesda's "largest engine overhaul since Oblivion," with "all new technologies" that will power both Starfield and The Elder Scrolls VI.
Howard explained that
"every game will have some new suites of technology so Elder Scrolls VI will have some additions on to Creation Engine 2 that that game is going to require."
The engine improvements are designed to "push our future tech for games to levels we have not done before," according to Howard's blog post discussing Microsoft's acquisition.
The technical foundation established by Starfield provides a significant head start for The Elder Scrolls VI. According to Howard, Starfield's development created technology that will "eventually power The Elder Scrolls 6 too," suggesting the fantasy RPG will benefit from the sci-fi game's technical advancements.
Setting and Location Rumors
While Bethesda hasn't officially confirmed The Elder Scrolls VI's setting, strong evidence points to Hammerfell or High Rock as the most likely locations. According to a reported internal Bethesda memo from 2014, the studio was considering these regions for the next Elder Scrolls game.
The 2018 teaser trailer showed mountainous terrain that matches Hammerfell's Alik'r Desert region, which features rocky outcrops and desert landscapes.
Industry analysts and fans have also noted that Hammerfell offers rich storytelling potential with its Redguard culture, political intrigue, and history of conflict with the Aldmeri Dominion.
High Rock remains another strong possibility, particularly given its diverse geography including mountains, forests, and coastal regions. Some fans have speculated the game could feature both provinces, similar to how The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall included parts of both Hammerfell and High Rock.
Story and Narrative Direction
Former Bethesda designer Kurt Kuhlmann revealed in January 2026 that his original vision for The Elder Scrolls VI would have been "like The Empire Strikes Back."
According to Kuhlmann, who served as co-lead designer on Skyrim and was once considered for the lead role on The Elder Scrolls VI, his story would have seen the Thalmor (the elven supremacist antagonists) effectively win.
"I had in my mind that TES6 was going to be like The Empire Strikes Back," Kuhlmann told PC Gamer. "By the end of it, the Thalmor would have seemed to have won, save for the player doing something at the very end of the story to leave a hopeful, cliffhanger ending that would lead into The Elder Scrolls VII."
Kuhlmann acknowledged this darker direction might not have resonated with players.
"That's not a good way to end a game and say, yeah, we'll see you in 10, 15 years," he admitted. While Kuhlmann's vision likely won't be implemented (he left Bethesda in 2023), it provides insight into the narrative possibilities Bethesda considered.
Gameplay and Feature Expectations
While specific gameplay details remain scarce, Todd Howard has described The Elder Scrolls VI as "the ultimate simulator of a fantasy world." This suggests Bethesda aims to create the most immersive and detailed fantasy RPG experience to date, building on the foundation established by Skyrim.
Based on Starfield's advancements, players can expect significant improvements to NPC behavior, environmental interaction, and world simulation.
The Creation Engine 2's capabilities should enable more dynamic worlds with improved physics, lighting, and environmental storytelling.
Former Bethesda employees have hinted at increased emphasis on replayability and player agency. According to industry analysts, The Elder Scrolls VI will likely feature Bethesda's signature open-world design with enhanced procedural elements, deeper character customization, and more meaningful player choices that impact the world.
Platform Strategy and Exclusivity
The Elder Scrolls VI's platform availability has been a subject of ongoing speculation. According to court documents from theFTC v. Microsoft case in 2023, the game was initially planned as an Xbox and PC exclusive. However, Microsoft's evolving multiplatform strategy makes the situation more complex.
Xbox CFO Tim Stuart and head of gaming Phil Spencer have clarified that Microsoft wants Bethesda content to be "first or better, or best, or pick your differentiated experience on our platforms."
Spencer added, "We will want Bethesda content to show up the best on our platforms."
The 2025 release of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered on multiple platforms, combined with Microsoft's recent release of Sea of Thieves on PlayStation, suggests The Elder Scrolls VI could eventually come to PlayStation.
However, Xbox and PC will almost certainly receive the game first, with a potential timed exclusivity period.
Development Challenges and Expectations
Former Bethesda lead artist Nate Purkeypile described The Elder Scrolls VI as being in a "no-win" situation due to Skyrim's legendary status. "How do you beat that?" Purkeypile told Esports Insider in January 2026.
"And I hope it's a great game, but even if it's just as good as Skyrim was, you'll still get so many people throwing out hateful comments."
Purkeypile explained that the massive fan expectations are putting major pressure on the development team. "I think there is less economic pressure to just get Elder Scrolls VI out on a date, but there is more economic pressure to actually make sure it's good," he said.
The extended development time reflects Bethesda's commitment to quality over speed. According to studio director Angela Browder, "We're going to take our time and as long as it needs to be to be great."
This patient approach contrasts with Skyrim's fixed 11/11/11 release date, which former developers have described as creating immense pressure.
Should You Wait or Play Something Else?
For fans eagerly awaiting The Elder Scrolls VI, the waiting game continues with no definitive release date in sight.
If you're craving an Elder Scrolls experience now, The Elder Scrolls Online continues to receive regular updates and expansions, with its player base reportedly bolstered by anticipation for The Elder Scrolls VI.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, which shadow-dropped in April 2025, offers a modernized version of the classic RPG with updated visuals and gameplay refinements.
For those who haven't played Skyrim in years, the Special Edition and Anniversary Edition provide substantial content with modern enhancements.
If you're interested in Bethesda's latest RPG technology, Starfield offers insight into the Creation Engine 2's capabilities, though its sci-fi setting differs significantly from The Elder Scrolls' fantasy world.
The game's reception has been mixed, but it demonstrates the technical foundation that will power The Elder Scrolls VI.
The Bottom Line
The Elder Scrolls VI represents Bethesda's most ambitious project since Skyrim, with the studio taking its time to deliver what Todd Howard has called "the ultimate simulator of a fantasy world."
While the extended development timeline tests fans' patience, it reflects Bethesda's commitment to quality and recognition of the immense expectations surrounding Skyrim's successor.
Key confirmed details include the 2026 or later release window, Creation Engine 2 foundation, day one Xbox Game Pass availability, and active development with "the majority of the studio" working on the project.
Rumors point to Hammerfell or High Rock as the likely setting, with potential multiplatform release following initial Xbox and PC exclusivity.
As development continues "progressing really well" according to Howard, fans can expect Bethesda to maintain radio silence until the studio is ready to reveal more.
Given Howard's expressed preference for surprise releases, The Elder Scrolls VI could potentially shadow-drop like Oblivion Remastered, though the game's scale makes a traditional marketing campaign more likely.
For now, the wait continues, but Bethesda's patient approach suggests The Elder Scrolls VI will arrive only when it meets the studio's exacting standards for what should be one of this generation's defining RPG experiences.
