Despite growing fan theories, The Elder Scrolls 6 won’t make a surprise appearance at The Game Awards. A Bloomberg insider has shut down the rumors, confirming that Bethesda’s long-awaited RPG remains years from release.
Don’t expect The Elder Scrolls 6 at major events just yet
Shiftdelete.netBuzz began after host Geoff Keighley posted a mysterious statue online, sparking wild predictions. Some believed it hinted at The Elder Scrolls 6, but Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier stepped in to stop the speculation cold. On ResetEra, he confirmed flatly: the statue has nothing to do with the game.
Even Bethesda followers hoping for a shadow drop were cautioned not to hold their breath. While excitement is understandable the game was first revealed back in 2018 there’s still a long road ahead.
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Starfield slowed Elder Scrolls 6 development
Part of the delay stems from Starfield, which dominated Bethesda’s development timeline for years. Todd Howard and his team shifted focus to get the space RPG across the finish line, leaving The Elder Scrolls 6 on the back burner.
Phil Spencer added to the long-view timeline in 2023, telling regulators that the game wouldn’t arrive until at least five years out. That means even 2026 could be optimistic.
A playable version exists, but it’s early
According to Howard, there is a working build of the game. He revealed in a GQ interview that the team has begun testing internal versions. Still, he emphasized it’s “a long way off.”
Some fans cling to hope for a sudden drop, like what happened with Oblivion Remastered. But even with that possibility, there’s no sign Bethesda will pivot from its slow, calculated rollout.
Why The Elder Scrolls 6 is taking so long
Creating the next Elder Scrolls isn’t just about crafting a new story. Expectations have skyrocketed. After Skyrim, fans expect an open world even bigger and more reactive. That level of scale takes time especially if Bethesda aims to compete with GTA 6 or Cyberpunk in terms of detail and longevity.
As for the statue Keighley teased? Jez Corden believes it’s Diablo-related. Others guessed God of War, but Santa Monica’s Cory Barlog has already ruled that out.
For now, The Elder Scrolls 6 remains just a title, a tease, and a dream deferred.
