The Elder Scrolls VI
Release Date
- Expected Release: 2025 (rumored, not officially confirmed)
- Development Timeline: Bethesda has been working on The Elder Scrolls VI since the completion of Fallout 4 (2015), but full-scale development began after Starfield (2023).
Platforms
- Confirmed Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC
- Exclusivity: Likely an Xbox and PC exclusive due to Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda’s parent company, ZeniMax Media.
Setting
- Rumored Location: Hammerfell (home of the Redguards) and High Rock (home of the Bretons) are the most speculated regions. These locations would offer diverse landscapes, from deserts to medieval cities.
- Time Period: The game is expected to take place decades or even centuries after The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, potentially during the Fourth Era or early Fifth Era.
Gameplay Features
- Open World: A massive, seamless open world with diverse biomes, cities, and dungeons.
- Next-Gen Graphics: Built on the Creation Engine 2 (used for Starfield), the game will feature cutting-edge visuals, realistic lighting, and detailed environments.
- Dynamic NPCs: Improved AI for NPCs, with more realistic behaviors, schedules, and interactions.
- Combat System: A revamped combat system, potentially incorporating more fluid melee combat, advanced magic mechanics, and improved archery.
- Character Customization: Deep character creation tools, allowing players to customize their race, appearance, and skills.
- Factions and Quests: Multiple joinable factions with branching storylines, moral choices, and impactful consequences.
- Exploration: Emphasis on exploration, with hidden secrets, dynamic events, and procedurally generated content.
Story and Lore
- Main Plot: While the main story is still under wraps, it’s expected to involve a world-threatening event or a powerful artifact (a common theme in Elder Scrolls games).
- Factions: Possible return of fan-favorite factions like the Thieves Guild, Dark Brotherhood, and Mages Guild, alongside new factions unique to the setting.
- Lore Expansion: The game will likely expand on the rich lore of Tamriel, with ties to previous games and new mysteries to uncover.
Multiplayer or Co-op
- Single-Player Focus: Bethesda has confirmed that The Elder Scrolls VI will be a single-player experience, similar to previous entries in the series.
- Online Features: While not an MMO like The Elder Scrolls Online, there may be optional online features, such as shared world events or modding communities.
Modding Support
- Creation Kit: Bethesda is expected to release modding tools, allowing the community to create and share mods, as seen in Skyrim and Fallout 4.
- Cross-Platform Mods: Mods may be supported across Xbox and PC, with integration into Bethesda’s modding platform.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011) is one of the most beloved RPGs of all time, and fans have been eagerly waiting for a true successor.
Bethesda’s reputation for creating immersive open worlds and rich storytelling has set high expectations for The Elder Scrolls VI.
Technical Advancements
- Creation Engine 2: The game will leverage the new engine for improved physics, animations, and world-building.
- Ray Tracing: Real-time ray tracing for enhanced lighting, shadows, and reflections.
- AI Improvements: Smarter NPCs with more realistic dialogue, reactions, and decision-making.
Speculated Features
- Mounts and Travel: New mount options, such as horses, camels (if set in Hammerfell), or even flying creatures.
- Dynamic Weather: Advanced weather systems affecting gameplay, such as sandstorms in deserts or blizzards in mountainous regions.
- Survival Mechanics: Optional survival mechanics, like hunger, thirst, and temperature, for a more immersive experience.
FAQ
- Is The Elder Scrolls 6 ever coming out?
The Elder Scrolls 6 – everything we know so far | TechRadar
Microsoft case, The Elder Scrolls 6 is expected to be released sometime during or after 2026, and is seemingly planned to be released solely on PC and Xbox (via The Verge)
2. Will Elder Scrolls VI be on PC?
It will be the sixth main installment in The Elder Scrolls series, following 2011’s The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The game is expected to be released for Windows and Xbox consoles, in “2026 or later”.