Fans of the legendary Elder Scrolls series have been advised to practise patience, as Bethesda's long-awaited sequel remains firmly on the distant horizon. In a new interview, studio director Todd Howard confirmed that The Elder Scrolls 6 is 'still a long way off', dashing hopes for a release in the near future.
A Tested Strategy for Future Launches
Howard's comments came during a discussion with GQ magazine to mark the tenth anniversary of Fallout 4. When probed about the potential for a surprise release for the next Elder Scrolls title, similar to the shadow drop of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, Howard revealed this was more than just a one-off. He stated, 'You might say that was a test run. It worked out well.'
This approach aligns with Howard's personal preference for announcing and releasing games in quick succession. 'I like to just announce stuff and release it,' he explained. 'My perfect version – and I'm not saying this is going to happen – is that it's going to be a while and then, one day, the game will just appear.' Bethesda has precedent for this, having announced and launched the massive Fallout 4 within just five months back in 2015.
Current Studio Focus and Lingering Rumours
So, what is Bethesda working on if not The Elder Scrolls 6? Howard clarified the studio's current allocation of resources, noting, 'We have hundreds of people on Fallout right now, with 76 and some other things we're doing, but The Elder Scrolls 6 is the everyday thing.' This statement confirms development is ongoing, albeit not at full capacity.
One of the rumoured 'other things' is a Fallout 3 remaster. This project was initially outed by renowned leaker NateTheHate earlier in 2025, and the reports have since been corroborated by industry outlet VGC, adding significant weight to the speculation.
A Long and Winding Road for Fans
The journey to the next Elder Scrolls has been a protracted one. It has been 14 years since The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim first launched, and the sequel was officially announced over seven years ago. Since the release of Skyrim, Bethesda has launched Fallout 4, the online multiplayer Fallout 76, last year's sci-fi epic Starfield, and the recent Oblivion Remastered.
Howard's latest 'be patient' message is likely to frustrate many in the community who had been anticipating a 2027 or 2028 release window. His claim earlier in 2025 that the game was 'quite playable' offered a glimmer of hope, but no proof was ever provided. Beyond the confirmed logo, almost nothing is officially known about the game, though persistent rumours suggest the setting will be Hammerfell and High Rock, featuring dragons, naval combat, and underwater exploration, all built on the engine that powered Starfield.
