What Happened to The Elder Scrolls VI?
The Elder Scrolls VI, the highly anticipated sixth main installment in the acclaimed RPG series, was officially announced in 2018 but remained in pre-production for years while Bethesda Game Studios focused on Starfield. Following Starfield's launch in 2023, development on TES VI ramped up, with the majority of the studio now actively working on the game using the new Creation Engine 3. As of April 2026, early playable builds exist, though a release date remains unannounced and is still considered several years away.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, The Elder Scrolls VI is in active development at Bethesda Game Studios, with the 'majority' of the studio now focused on the project. Director Todd Howard confirmed in February 2026 that the game is being developed as a 'classic Bethesda' role-playing game, utilizing the Creation Engine 3, and has passed a major internal milestone. While early playable builds exist, no release window has been announced, and it is widely anticipated to launch in 2027 or 2028 at the earliest, likely as an Xbox and PC exclusive.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Todd Howard Confirms Intent for New Elder Scrolls
Bethesda Game Studios director Todd Howard confirms the developer's intention to create a new entry in The Elder Scrolls series, though cautions it is 'a ways off'.
Official Announcement Teaser at E3
The Elder Scrolls VI is formally announced with a short teaser trailer during Bethesda's E3 conference, confirming it had entered pre-production and would follow Fallout 76 and Starfield.
Shirley Curry Confirmed as NPC
Bethesda announces that popular YouTuber 'Skyrim Grandma' Shirley Curry will be featured as a non-player character (NPC) in The Elder Scrolls VI, following a fan petition.
Microsoft Acquires ZeniMax Media
Microsoft enters an agreement to acquire ZeniMax Media, Bethesda Softworks' parent company, for $7.5 billion, bringing Bethesda Game Studios under Xbox Game Studios.
Microsoft Acquisition Finalized; Exclusivity Discussions Begin
The acquisition of ZeniMax Media by Microsoft is completed, leading to widespread speculation and later confirmations about future Bethesda titles, including TES VI, being Xbox/PC exclusives.
Phil Spencer States 'Five Plus Years Away'
During an FTC hearing, Xbox CEO Phil Spencer states that The Elder Scrolls VI is still 'five plus years away' from launch, indicating a release no earlier than 2028.
Enters Active Production Post-Starfield
Following the completion and launch of Starfield, The Elder Scrolls VI officially enters active production, with Todd Howard describing his vision for 'the ultimate fantasy-world simulator'.
Early Builds Are Playable
On the 30th anniversary of The Elder Scrolls, Bethesda Game Studios confirms that early builds of TES VI are being played internally, filling the team with excitement.
Make-A-Wish NPC Competition
Bethesda announces a Make-A-Wish competition for a fan to create an NPC for The Elder Scrolls VI, a similar initiative to one held for Starfield prior to its release.
Primary Development Priority
Todd Howard states in an interview with GQ that The Elder Scrolls VI has become Bethesda Game Studios' primary development priority.
Todd Howard Confirms 'Classic Bethesda' RPG and Creation Engine 3
Todd Howard confirms in an interview that TES VI is being developed as a 'classic Bethesda' RPG, comparable to Oblivion and Skyrim, running on the new Creation Engine 3, and has passed a major internal milestone.
Majority of Studio Working on TES VI
Todd Howard reveals in a roundtable interview that the 'majority' of Bethesda Game Studios is now working on The Elder Scrolls VI, indicating a significant shift in resources.
Ongoing Discussions on Starfield's Impact
As of today, discussions continue among fans and critics regarding Starfield's reception and its potential influence on the development and expectations for The Elder Scrolls VI.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The journey of The Elder Scrolls VI has been characterized by a prolonged development cycle and immense anticipation. First teased at E3 2018, the game entered pre-production, but Bethesda Game Studios' primary focus remained on its new IP, Starfield. This strategic decision meant fans would endure a significant wait for the next installment in the beloved fantasy RPG series.
The Microsoft acquisition of ZeniMax Media, Bethesda's parent company, in September 2020 for $7.5 billion marked a pivotal turning point. While initially there was speculation about multi-platform releases, Xbox CEO Phil Spencer later indicated that future Bethesda titles, including The Elder Scrolls VI, would primarily launch on 'platforms where Xbox Game Pass exists,' strongly suggesting PC and Xbox exclusivity. This shift was a major consequence of the acquisition, aiming to bolster the Xbox ecosystem.
Active production on The Elder Scrolls VI officially began in August 2023, immediately following the launch of Starfield. Todd Howard, the game's director, expressed his intent to create 'the ultimate fantasy-world simulator,' building upon the groundwork laid by Starfield's Creation Engine 2, which has evolved into Creation Engine 3 for TES VI. This period saw a significant ramp-up in development, with Bethesda Game Studios celebrating the 30th anniversary of The Elder Scrolls in March 2024 by confirming that early builds of TES VI were already being played.
Throughout late 2025 and early 2026, updates from Todd Howard provided more clarity on the game's status. In November 2025, Howard stated that The Elder Scrolls VI had become the studio's primary development priority. By February 2026, he confirmed that the game was progressing well, had passed a major internal milestone, and was being designed as a 'classic Bethesda' RPG, akin to Skyrim and Oblivion. He also highlighted the advancements in Creation Engine 3, noting improved integration into the development cycle, leading to more consistently working builds.
Despite these positive updates, a firm release date remains elusive. Phil Spencer's 2023 statement that the game was 'five plus years away' from launch, coupled with leaked documents suggesting 2026 at the earliest, indicates a likely release window of 2027 or 2028, or even later. The reception of Starfield, which proved polarizing for some fans, has also led to discussions about the expectations for The Elder Scrolls VI, with some hoping Bethesda learns lessons from its predecessor to deliver a universally acclaimed experience.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if The Elder Scrolls VI made different choices?