The Elder Scrolls 6, the highly anticipated sequel to the popular RPG series, was officially announced in 2018. However, fans will have to wait patiently as the game is still in pre-production. Bethesda’s current focus is on their upcoming space-faring RPG, Starfield, set to release in September 2023. While information about Elder Scrolls 6 is sparse, there are a few details and theories that have emerged. Let’s explore what we know so far.
Elder Scrolls 6 in Pre-production
According to a Bethesda HR LinkedIn profile, it was revealed in January 2022 that Elder Scrolls 6 is still in the pre-production phase. Todd Howard, director and executive producer at Bethesda, confirmed this in June 2022. With the studio’s attention currently on Starfield, it’s not surprising that Elder Scrolls 6 is still in the early stages of development. Howard even hinted that the game may not release until 2026 at the earliest.
Building on Starfield’s Engine
According to Games Radar, Todd Howard mentioned in a 2021 interview that Bethesda is using the same engine to develop both Starfield and Elder Scrolls 6. The team is working on Starfield primarily at the moment, but the development of Elder Scrolls 6 is expected to lead to changes in the engine to cater to the upcoming game’s requirements. The Creation Engine 2 will receive additions and modifications to support the new adventure.
Possible Setting: Hammerfell
Fans speculate that Elder Scrolls 6 may be set in the region of Hammerfell. A New Year’s message shared by the official Elder Scrolls Twitter account featured a map of Skyrim with the words “transcribe the past and map the future.” Observant fans noticed the placement of candles in the image, with one positioned near the label for Hammerfell. Hammerfell is the home of the Redguards, and it aligns with geographic details hinted at in the game’s teaser trailer.
Xbox Exclusivity
There is increasing speculation that The Elder Scrolls 6 will be an Xbox exclusive title. Reports suggest that the game is planned as an Xbox exclusive, following the path of Starfield, which was announced as an Xbox and PC exclusive at E3 2021. However, Todd Howard has mentioned that it’s hard to imagine not bringing The Elder Scrolls 6 to multiple platforms. Xbox aims to provide the best experience for Bethesda content on its platforms, but they do not intend to remove Bethesda content from other platforms entirely.
Teaser Trailer and Limited News
The only official glimpse of Elder Scrolls 6 so far is a 36-second teaser trailer debuted at E3 2018. Since then, there has been limited news about the game’s development. Todd Howard has mentioned the gap between Skyrim and Elder Scrolls 6’s release, emphasizing the need to design the game for long-term playability. He suggested that the game should be enjoyable and replayable for at least a decade, indicating the inclusion of new gameplay mechanics and technology.
Theories and Speculations
Various theories have emerged among fans, including one suggesting that the trademark term “Redfall” could be related to Elder Scrolls 6. Speculation suggests that Redfall may refer to a plague in Tamriel, possibly originating in Daggerfall, one of High Rock’s kingdoms. These theories add to the excitement and anticipation surrounding the game.
