The Elder Scrolls VI (TES6) – Everything We Know (as of January 13, 2026)
Announcement and Trailers
The Elder Scrolls VI was officially announced on June 10, 2018, during Bethesda's E3 showcase. The reveal included a short 36-second teaser trailer showing rocky mountains, coastline, and atmospheric music, ending with the game's logo.
This remains the only public footage released—no gameplay, extended trailers, or additional reveals have appeared in the nearly eight years since.
Development History and Current Status
Development began in pre-production around 2016–2018, but meaningful progress only ramped up after Starfield's release in 2023.
Full production entered "early development" by August 2023, with playable early builds confirmed internally by March 2024 and ongoing playtesting as recently as late 2025.
Todd Howard (director and executive producer) provided the most recent updates in December 2025 interviews:
- The game is "progressing really well"
- The majority of Bethesda Game Studios is focused on it, though some team overlap exists with other projects (like Fallout updates).
- It's "still a long way off," with Howard emphasizing patience and the desire to "get it right" rather than rush.
- The team aims for an "ultimate fantasy-world simulator" using an evolved Creation Engine 2 (refined from Starfield), focusing on larger scale, better immersion, replayability for "at least a decade," and advancements like seamless worlds.
A former Bethesda artist noted the early 2018 announcement added unnecessary pressure, as it came mainly because it had "been so long" since Skyrim (2011), and advised focusing on quality over size.
The studio's philosophy prioritizes long development cycles, with Howard hinting at potential surprise releases (like the Oblivion Remastered shadow drop in 2025 as a "test run").
Release Date and Platforms
No official release date exists. Leaked Microsoft/FTC documents from years ago projected "2026 or later," but recent comments and analysis point to later:
- Earliest realistic window: Late 2026–2027 (unlikely due to polishing needs and competition like GTA VI in 2026).
- More common estimates: 2027–2028, or even 2029 in some reports.
- Howard has stressed it won't rush to compete and will follow Bethesda's typical cycle.
Platforms: Confirmed for PC and Xbox Series X|S (day-one on Xbox Game Pass via Microsoft's acquisition).
No PlayStation confirmation yet—initial exclusivity favors Xbox/PC, though long-term multi-platform potential exists.
Recent fan hype came from an Xbox social media reply joking about a "big year for games ending in 6" (referencing Forza Horizon 6 and GTA VI), sparking TES6 speculation—but the upcoming January 22, 2026 Developer Direct showcase lineup is pre-confirmed without it.
Setting and Story
No official details. The 2018 teaser strongly suggests Hammerfall (Redguard homeland with deserts, coasts, and mountains) and/or parts of High Rock (Iliac Bay region).
Fan theories and subtle clues (maps, remasters) point here, but Bethesda has stayed silent.
Gameplay and Features (Expectations)
Expected to build on Skyrim's open-world RPG foundation with modern enhancements:
- Greater immersion, replayability, and scale.
- Possible features like seamless cities/interiors, advanced AI, deeper choices, and procedural elements.
- Howard teases it as a massive fantasy simulator with "tiny choices" impacting big outcomes.
- High expectations post-Skyrim; former devs warn it's a "no-win" scenario due to fan pressure.
Rumors and Leaks (Unconfirmed – Treat with Skepticism)
- Setting: Hammerfell + Iliac Bay, with naval elements, factions, and Thalmor plots.
- Other speculation: Dragons, underwater areas, procedural islands, new mechanics.
- Leaks often claim 2026–2027 windows or specific titles like "Iliac," but these remain unverified and frequently debunked as overly optimistic.
In summary, TES6 is Bethesda's main focus and progressing steadily, but it's years away—likely not before 2027.
Fans should temper expectations; the studio wants it to be worth the wait. In the meantime, enjoy modded Skyrim, the recent Oblivion Remastered, ESO updates, or the Switch 2 port of Skyrim.
No major reveals seem imminent, but 2026 could bring teases at summer events. Stay patient—it's coming, just not soon!