The Elder Scrolls 6 release date may not happen until 2028 or later, insider claims
The Elder Scrolls 6 is still one of the most anticipated RPGs in gaming, but fans may need to stay patient for quite a while longer. Although Bethesda’s long-awaited Skyrim successor appears to have avoided the impact of recent Xbox layoffs, the game is reportedly still years away from launch.
According to industry insider Jason Schreier, players should not expect The Elder Scrolls 6 to arrive within the next two to three years. During a recent Q&A, he suggested that 2028 is likely the earliest possible release window for the next mainline Elder Scrolls game. There is also a chance the RPG could slip into 2029 or beyond, depending on development progress.
That estimate lines up with previous comments from Windows Central’s Jez Corden, who also indicated earlier this year that The Elder Scrolls 6 remains “quite far away.” While Bethesda has confirmed that the game is in development, the studio has still not shown gameplay, screenshots, or a full trailer since its short announcement teaser in 2018.
The long wait has been especially difficult for fans because The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim launched back in 2011. More than a decade later, Skyrim remains one of the most replayed and re-released RPGs ever made, but players are eager to see what Bethesda can deliver with a true next-generation fantasy open-world experience.
Bethesda executive producer Todd Howard offered a small update earlier this year, saying that multiple playable builds of The Elder Scrolls 6 already exist. That suggests the project is moving forward, even if it is not yet ready for a public reveal. For now, Bethesda appears to be taking its time rather than rushing the game to meet fan demand.
Microsoft is also likely eager to see The Elder Scrolls 6 become a major release for Xbox. The company has been focusing heavily on its biggest franchises, including The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Halo, Gears of War, and Doom. With Bethesda now under Microsoft’s gaming division, there is significant pressure for these major series to deliver strong results.
Some fans have blamed Starfield for slowing down development on The Elder Scrolls 6, since Bethesda spent years building its sci-fi RPG before shifting more attention to its next fantasy epic. However, large-scale Bethesda Game Studios projects are known for long development cycles, especially when they involve massive open worlds, complex quest systems, and new technology.
The good news is that recent Microsoft layoffs do not appear to have derailed The Elder Scrolls 6. However, other parts of the wider Bethesda and ZeniMax family have reportedly been affected by job cuts, raising concerns about the future of some ongoing projects and live-service support.
Another major question is whether The Elder Scrolls 6 will launch as an Xbox exclusive. If the game arrives in 2028 or 2029, it could land during Microsoft’s next major hardware era. There are signs that the company may reserve more first-party games for Xbox and PC, especially as it looks to make future consoles more appealing with exclusive software.
For now, Bethesda has not confirmed a release date, platforms, gameplay details, or even the official setting of The Elder Scrolls 6. Until the studio is ready to reveal more, fans should expect a long wait. If the latest insider claims are accurate, the journey back to Tamriel may not begin until 2028 at the earliest.
