The Elder Scrolls 6 - everything we know so far

The Elder Scrolls 6 is still officially in development

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The Elder Scrolls 6’srelease date has still not been revealed.In fact, we’ve not heard much of anything since it was revealed over six years ago. Aside from a teaser trailer, and some leaks here and there, much of the game remains a mystery.

What we can tell you for certain is thatThe Elder Scrolls 6is indeed in development, and that it will be the next release for Bethesda Game Studios, now thatStarfieldis out. Even so, it’s clear that the game is quite a ways out, especially following recent comments from Xbox head Phil Spencer. A shame, given it’s easily one of the most highly anticipatedupcoming gamesout there.

Here’s what we know aboutThe Elder Scrolls 6so far, including a look at platforms we can expect it to launch on. Hopefully, we will hear more about the game by the end of 2024, now thatStarfieldis in the rear view mirror. When details do emerge, this page will be updated.

The Elder Scrolls 6: cut to the chase

The Elder Scrolls 6 platforms

Platforms forThe Elder Scrolls 6haven’t been confirmed yetbut, givenMicrosoft’s acquisition of Bethesda’s parent company ZeniMax Media in 2021, releases on PC, and Xbox Series X|S are almost a certainty. APS5release was previously ruled out, according to documents revealed as part of theFTC vs Microsoft court case. Similarly, releases onXbox Oneseems extremely unlikely, asStarfieldshows Bethesda’s moving on from last-gen hardware.

One thing to consider here is that since we last heard aboutThe Elder Scrolls 6’sXbox exclusivity, Microsoft has started taking a very different approach to its releases.Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, for example, will launch on PS5 shortly after it launches on Xbox in December. Similarly, we’ve now seenSea of Thievesarrive on PS5, so it’s possible that The Elder Scrolls 6 will follow a similar pattern. We’ll have to wait and see.

Will The Elder Scrolls 6 release on Xbox Game Pass?

The Elder Scrolls 6will be available onXbox Game Passon day one. This means that subscribers will be able to pick up the game at no extra costal the same day it releases for everyone else.

The Elder Scrolls 6 trailer

The only footage we have ofThe Elder Scrolls 6is a very short clip of the game’s logo. Other than that, you might be waiting a while to see more. Here’s the announcement trailer:

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Elder Scrolls 6 setting

We’re willing to bet that like all the other games in the series,The Elder Scrolls 6will take place on the continent of Tamriel. Previous games have taken us to High Rock, Hammerfell, Morrowind, Cyrodil, and Skyrim. Valenwood, Elsweyr, and Black Marsh are the biggest places left to explore. However, even though these areas are prime spots for exploration, that’s not to say that Bethesda won’t return to areas from previous games.

There were rumors thatThe Elder Scrolls 6could be set in Valenwood, the home of the Bosmer. It’s an area of Tamriel that Bethesda hasn’t explored much and that’s based on a reportedinternal Bethesda memofrom all the way back in 2014. In this memo, Bethesda employees were reportedly warned against using the termsFallout: Nuka World, Elder Scrolls VI or Project Greenheart.

It’s hard to tell from the short E3 clip we have of the game. However, since it was shown, general opinion has moved towards the idea thatThe Elder Scrolls 6will be set in either Hammerfell or High Rock.

Adding credence to the Hammerfell rumor is a post from the official Elder ScrollsTwitteraccount at the end of 2020. That says “transcribe the past and map the future” and shows an image with an unmapped Hammerfell region. There is, however, a chance that this teaser doesn’t relate toElder Scrolls 6at all.

Obviously, those of us who know the world of Tamriel thanks to Morrowind, Oblivion, Skyrim and yes, evenElder Scrolls Online, the entire world is a veritable expanse of different lands and settings where the game could be set. We do know one thing for certain; wherever it does end up being set, we can expect to be fulfilling a great many side quests.

The Elder Scrolls 6 news

New release window rumorsAccording to a court document revealed from the FTC v.Microsoftcase,The Elder Scrolls 6is expected to be released sometime during or after 2026, and is seemingly planned to be released solely on PC and Xbox (via The Verge).

The Elder Scrolls 6 is still in early developmentIn an interview with Spanish publication Vandal (as translated byGamespot), Pete Hines revealed thatThe Elder Scrolls 6is still likely a long way off.

“It’s in development, but it’s in early development.“Fallout 5 is coming after The Elder Scrolls 6In an interview withIGN, Todd Howard confirmed thatFallout 5will be Bethesda’s next project afterThe Elder Scrolls 6.

“Yes, Elder Scrolls 6 is in pre-production and, you know, we’re going to be doing Fallout 5 after that, so our slate’s pretty full going forward for a while” Howard told the publication. “We have some other projects that we look at from time to time as well.”

Bethesda wants to take its time to get it rightThe Elder Scrolls 6is probably still a few years away yet but that’s not because Bethesda is deliberately dragging its heels. In an interview withIGN, when discussing the gap betweenSkyrimand its follow up, Howard said “Would you plan to have the kind of gap we’re having betweenSkyrimand the follow-up? I can’t say that’s a good thing. Do I wish I could wave a wand and the game we wanted to make […] just came out? Absolutely.”

According to Howard, however, the time felt right for Bethesda to try something new withStarfieldandThe Elder Scrolls Onlinemeant that the Elder Scrolls franchise was in a relatively good place.

“That being said,” he added, “everything takes longer than we would like as well, but we want to make sure that we get it right. HopefullyElder Scrolls 6, you don’t want to say hey, that it’s worth that kind of wait, but that it does stand up to the series as it has been in a really big, impactful way for when it comes out.”

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An award-winning games journalist, with seven years of experience in games journalism and a degree in journalism from City University, London, Vic brings experience from IGN, Eurogamer, The Telegraph, VG247, Dot Esports and more to the TechRadar table. You may have even heard her on the radio or speaking on a panel, as she’s previously appeared on BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5, BBC Radio Ulster and more. Not only is Vic passionate about games, but she’s appeared on both panels and podcasts to discuss mental health awareness. Make sure to follow her on Twitter for more.

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