The Elder Scrolls 6's release 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 that The Elder Scrolls 6 is indeed in development, and that it will be the next release for Bethesda Game Studios, now that Starfield is 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 anticipated upcoming games out there.
Here's what we know about The Elder Scrolls 6 so 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 that Starfield is in the rear view mirror. When details do emerge, this page will be updated.
The Elder Scrolls 6: cut to the chase
- What is it? The long-awaited successor to Skyrim
- When does it come out? TBC
- What can I play it on? TBC - but evidence points to it being only on PC and Xbox Series X|S
The Elder Scrolls 6 platforms: is it an Xbox exclusive?
Platforms for The Elder Scrolls 6 haven't been confirmed yet but, given Microsoft's acquisition of Bethesda's parent company ZeniMax Media in 2021, releases on PC, and Xbox Series S|X are almost a certainty. A PS5 release was previously ruled out, according to documents revealed as part of the FTC vs Microsoft court case. Similarly, releases on Xbox One seems extremely unlikely, as Starfield shows Bethesda's moving on from last-gen hardware.
One thing to consider here is that since we last heard about The Elder Scrolls 6's Xbox 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 seen Sea of Thieves arrive 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 6 will be available on Xbox Game Pass on 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 of The Elder Scrolls 6 is 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:
Elder Scrolls 6 setting and story
We’re willing to bet that like all the other games in the series, The Elder Scrolls 6 will 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 that The Elder Scrolls 6 could 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 reported internal Bethesda memo from all the way back in 2014. In this memo, Bethesda employees were reportedly warned against using the terms Fallout: 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 that The Elder Scrolls 6 will be set in either Hammerfell or High Rock.
Adding credence to the Hammerfell rumor is a post from the official Elder Scrolls Twitter account 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 to Elder Scrolls 6 at all.
Obviously, those of us who know the world of Tamriel thanks to Morrowind, Oblivion, Skyrim and yes, even Elder 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 rumors
According to a court document revealed from the FTC v. Microsoft case, The Elder Scrolls 6 is 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 development
In an interview with Spanish publication Vandal (as translated by Gamespot), Pete Hines revealed that The Elder Scrolls 6 is still likely a long way off.
"It's in development, but it's in early development."
Fallout 5 is coming after The Elder Scrolls 6
In an interview with IGN, Todd Howard confirmed that Fallout 5 will be Bethesda's next project after The 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 right
The Elder Scrolls 6 is probably still a few years away yet but that’s not because Bethesda is deliberately dragging its heels. In an interview with IGN, when discussing the gap between Skyrim and its follow up, Howard said “Would you plan to have the kind of gap we're having between Skyrim and 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 with Starfield and The Elder Scrolls Online meant 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. Hopefully Elder 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.”
