Todd Howard has offered yet another sobering hint for fans waiting on the next Elder Scrolls chapter. While speculation around The Elder Scrolls 6 release date continues, the Bethesda director suggests Rockstar’s long-awaited GTA 6 will arrive first even after its own delays.
The Elder Scrolls 6 release date still far off
Despite an early reveal back in 2018, The Elder Scrolls 6 remains in deep development. During a Power Unlimited interview, Howard admitted that even with GTA 6’s rocky timeline, Rockstar’s game is much closer to launch.
Spotted during a celebration for the Fallout series, Howard was asked whether GTA 6, The Elder Scrolls 6, or Fallout 5 would hit shelves first. “I’m rooting for Grand Theft Auto 6,” he said, making it clear that his own title isn’t next in line. While not shocking, the confirmation was still deflating for fans holding out hope for a surprise drop.
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Shadow drop hopes crushed, for now
With The Game Awards approaching, rumors had circulated that The Elder Scrolls 6 release date might be teased, possibly through a shadow drop reveal. The idea gained momentum after a statue resembling something from Tamriel appeared in a teaser. But a Bloomberg reporter quickly shot down those hopes, and Howard’s comments sealed the deal.
Bethesda has used stealth releases before. Oblivion Remastered launched with minimal buildup. Even so, Howard’s GQ interview last year already made things clear: The Elder Scrolls 6 is “still a long way off.”
Why GTA 6 will likely launch first
The gap between projects is growing due to:
- Bethesda prioritizing Starfield through 2023
- GTA 6 having a public release date: Nov. 19, 2026
- Bethesda’s slower, large-scale development cycle
- Rockstar still being tight-lipped despite progress
- TES6 still lacking gameplay, trailers, or new assets
Howard’s latest remark isn’t just about release order, it reflects the studio’s mindset. They’re not rushing.
The Elder Scrolls 6 release date now looks like a 2027 event
Bethesda is known for going quiet until something’s truly ready. With no new footage, trailers, or confirmed platforms, it’s becoming more realistic to expect it’s release date in 2027 or even later. And if GTA 6 keeps its current launch window, it’ll win the race to players’ hands.
