Hey, you, you're finally awake. It's been well over nine years since the colossally successful RPG known only as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim launched on multiple platforms. The game has captured the hearts of millions of players around the world since 2011. It was also ported repeatedly in what honestly seems like an excessive amount but there's very little we can do about it. Three DLCs, one remaster, and several thousand mods later, we finally get a glimpse of the franchise's upcoming new installment. Here's everything we know about The Elder Scrolls VI.

It will take years of development

Skyrim developers Bethesda graced us with this very short teaser back in 2018. The video was barren of any details about the upcoming game except for the fact that there was indeed a game in development. In the two years since the teaser first dropped Bethesda has let slip a few more details that many fans have been waiting for. Unfortunately for the franchise's many fans, it looks like we are still years away from a proper TES VI release. Bethesda Games Studios director Todd Howard had this to say about their timetable for TES VI.

“But look, we're creatives, and it's like we have to make this game, and this is the time. So Elder Scrolls 6 is going to have to wait a little bit. And plus, again, Elder Scrolls Online is doing so well, it's so vibrant, that this is the time, both for us creatively and our audience.”

Skyrim by comparison had a shorter development time with only five years in between TES IV and TES V. The reason for the extended delay for the sixth installment is the release of Fallout 4 in 2015 and two online games. Bethesda can't very well tank all of the game developments for their two massive franchises. It was natural that some games would take a back seat while they focus on projects. Expectations for TES VI are mixed due to Bethesda botching the launch of Fallout 76. Hopefully, its single-player setting will have it free from predatory microtransactions. You can't save the world if you're being constantly badgered by in-game purchases.

The Elder Scrolls VI will not be exclusive to the Xbox

One significant change affecting the Elder Scrolls franchise is Microsoft acquired Bethesda Softworks' parent company ZeniMax Media. Fans were initially fearful that this meant the possibility of TES VI being a console exclusive for the Xbox series. Fortunately, it looks like fans will be able to enjoy the Skyrim follow-up on any console of their choosing but not when the game releases. Xbox CFO Tim Stuart shared their plans on all Bethesda games moving forward.

“What we'll do in the long run is we don't have intentions of just pulling all of Bethesda content out of Sony or Nintendo or otherwise. But what we want is we want that content to be either first or better or best, or pick your differentiated experience, on our platforms. We will want Bethesda content to show up the best on our platforms.”

It's unclear at this point how Xbox plans to differentiate the experience but it will be interesting to see just what they have in mind. Players have often picked games on platforms based on preference. However, it sounds as though Xbox plans to make the TES VI experience on the Xbox superior. One apparent advantage of playing it on the Xbox will be its likely inclusion on Xbox Game Pass. Players on other platforms will most likely have to pay full price compared to Xbox owners. However, given how many copies of Skyrim sold on different platforms it probably won't be an issue for many.

A brand new engine

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One upside of the Xbox acquisition of Bethesda is its effect on the development cycle. Todd Howard spoke about the partnership's effect on their game technology.

“it's led to our larges engine overhaul since Oblivion, with all new technologies powering our first new IP in 25 years, Starfield, as well as The Elder Scrolls 6.”

There's very little detail to work off of but its certainly beneficial for Bethesda fans. They may have fallen to some predatory practices in the past with their failed FO76 launch but new technology will hopefully translate into a far better looking game than Skyrim. Bethesda is known for creating vast picturesque worlds and TES VI won't be any different. Fans can do nothing but wait for future news for the game but its starting to take shape slowly. Hope is hesitantly cultivated as the months and years pass. We can only hope that the next game is more Skyrim and less Fallout 76.


ClutchPoints Gaming