The video game world recently marked an anniversary that rpm enthusiasts had been both awaiting and dreading – six years since Bethesda Softworks released a brief teaser announcing The Elder Scrolls VI, the next mainline installment in its critically-acclaimed RPG series. However, fans hoping for a substantive update on the highly-anticipated game were once again left wanting.
In a recent interview, Todd Howard, Director and Executive Producer at Bethesda Game Studios, acknowledged the lengthy gap since that initial reveal. “It’s the sixth anniversary of us releasing the teaser for Elder Scrolls 6, and so that did make me pause and say ‘oh wow, that has been a while,'” Howard remarked.
The 36-second teaser, unveiled at E3 2018, was typically enigmatic for Bethesda. It simply showed a rugged landscape with the studio’s logo and the Roman numeral “VI” flashing on screen, implying the game’s setting in the homeland of the Nords – Skyrim’s northern neighbor, Hammerfell.
Since that initial tease, official details have remained scarce about the plot, gameplay systems, release window and even the game’s full title. Howard has consistently downplayed expectations of news anytime soon, reiterating in his latest interview comments that Bethesda is taking its time to ensure a quality experience.
“Now that we’re working on Elder Scrolls 6, we get to see it here in the studio,” Howard said. “One day we’ll have it for everybody.”
Starfield, Bethesda’s upcoming space RPG which has been in development for over a decade, is taking priority and slated for release in 2023. Most analysts expect Elder Scrolls 6 to follow as the studio’s next major project, likely targeting next-gen consoles and releasing in the late 2020s – over a decade after Skyrim’s landmark 2011 debut.
Howard acknowledged the extended wait between iconic RPG releases, stating: “We appreciate all of those thoughts and are with the fans on that. We’re working hard on it.”
While he remained mum on specific details, Howard did hint at potential live service and ongoing content plans to foster longterm engagement – continuing trends from Skyrim’s enduring popularity over a decade later.
“With what Skyrim or other games have done, for Elder Scrolls 6…yeah, I’ll stop there,” Howard teased. “We know people are going to play it for a very long time.”
So as Elder Scrolls 6’s teaser fades further into the past, fans must summon patience and temper their expectations. Bethesda is taking a typically tight-lipped and methodical approach to developing this next generational leap in its beloved fantasy world. While the prolonged lack of updates may brew restlessness, the studio remains adamant about delivering a premium role-playing experience worthy of the franchise’s lofty pedigree.
