Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has revealed that she has seen The Elder Scrolls 6 in action, describing its 'scale and grandeur' as 'incredible' while teasing the game's subtitle with eight asterisks. The announcement comes as Bethesda Game Studios faces public criticism over recent mass layoffs, with union members protesting outside the studio.
Sharma's Live Playthrough and Subtitle Tease
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on August 11, 2026, Sharma wrote: 'Live playthrough of The Elder Scrolls 6: ******** this morning. The scale and grandeur are incredible. The story is even greater.' The eight asterisks have sparked speculation about the game's subtitle, though it remains unclear if they correspond to the exact number of letters in the title.
The Bethesda Game Studios official account responded to Sharma's tweet using the same number of asterisks, suggesting the count may be intentional. Past games in the series have been named after provinces in Tamriel, the continent where the games are set. The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion broke this pattern, being set in Cyrodiil but named after the game's equivalent of Hell.
Rumors have suggested The Elder Scrolls 6 is set in Hammerfell, but that name is more than eight characters. The only province names that fit eight characters are Cyrodiil and High Rock (if spaces are not counted). However, Cyrodiil is considered an unlikely subtitle due to its pronunciation and aesthetic, leading some to believe the game might be named after something else in the universe, similar to Oblivion.
Union Protests and Layoffs
Sharma's visit to Bethesda Game Studios in Rockville, Maryland, coincided with a protest by the Bethesda Game Studios Union. Union members planted 800 red flags outside the office, each representing a person who has lost their job since July 2025. The protest also featured a giant inflatable rat named Scabby, a common symbol in US labor disputes, as reported by journalist Chris Kerr on Bluesky.
The timing of Sharma's tweet, posted a couple of hours after news of the rat appeared, has led to speculation that it was a diversion tactic. According to the union OneBGS (via Kotaku), 440 union positions were eliminated across Bethesda and ZeniMax unions during the layoffs, which are set to affect 3,200 people before the end of the fiscal year.
Industry Reaction and Future Prospects
The Elder Scrolls 6 was announced eight years ago, with all signs pointing to a launch in 2028 at the earliest. However, concerns have grown that the game could be delayed further after Microsoft laid off staff at Bethesda Game Studios and across ZeniMax. Despite these concerns, Sharma has reassured fans that the sequel is well underway.
Many developers have been outspoken about the layoffs. A developer at id Software, known for Doom, recently criticized Xbox executives, saying they 'don't understand art.' The full impact of the layoffs on The Elder Scrolls 6's development timeline remains to be seen, but the game's progress is now under increased scrutiny.
