Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier has stated that The Elder Scrolls 6 remains at least two to three years from release, suggesting a launch in 2028 is optimistic and a 2029 or later release is possible. The statement came during a live Q&A session on Bloomberg, as relayed by X user Idle Sloth.
Eight Years Since Announcement, No Footage Shown
Bethesda Game Studios first announced The Elder Scrolls 6 in 2018, yet no gameplay footage or screenshots have been released beyond the original logo reveal. Rumors had pointed to a 2027 or 2028 launch, but the game’s absence from this year’s Xbox Games Showcase has dampened expectations.
If the game launches after 2028, it will have taken over a decade from its initial announcement, marking a significant delay. It would also be at least 17 years since the release of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, highlighting a sparse output from the studio.
Impact of Recent Xbox Layoffs
Recent layoffs at Xbox have further complicated development. The Bethesda Game Studios Union confirmed on Bluesky that the developer lost “dozens of programmers, artists, designers, and testers” in cuts earlier this week, many of whom had worked at the studio for decades. The exact number of affected employees is unclear, but other studios like Obsidian and id Software have also seen severe reductions, with id Software losing 50% of its staff.
According to reports, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma aims to accelerate development on major franchises including Halo, The Elder Scrolls, and Fallout. However, it remains uncertain how much she can expedite The Elder Scrolls 6 given the workforce reductions.
Other Bethesda Projects
Beyond The Elder Scrolls 6, Bethesda is working on Fallout 5, which is even further off. A remaster of Fallout 3, similar to The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, is rumored but has not been confirmed or publicly shown.
