The Elder Scrolls VI Still ‘A Long Way Off’, Says Todd Howard — What That Means for the RPG Giant
In a fresh interview with GQ, Bethesda Game Studios director Todd Howard confirmed that the eagerly awaited The Elder Scrolls VI remains “still a long way off”. With no release window announced, the statement places the next chapter in the legendary fantasy-RPG series firmly into the long-haul category. For fans and industry watchers alike, the delay reinforces evolving expectations around blockbuster game development.
Key Take-aways:
The Elder Scrolls VI is confirmed to be still in early development with no release date in sight.
Todd Howard emphasises patience and hints at a possible surprise “shadow drop” at some point.
The gap between Skyrim (2011) and this sequel underscores broader pressures in large-scale RPG production.
Current Status: “Still a Long Way Off”
Todd Howard made clear in the GQ interview that The Elder Scrolls VI is not imminent. “I’m preaching patience. I don’t want fans to feel anxious,” he said. While the game is “the everyday thing” at Bethesda, the emphasis remains on crafting rather than rushing. According to Howard, the studio conducted a significant play-test recently and asked: “What is this? What does this need? Where are we at?”
The original teaser for the game debuted at E3 2018 alongside Starfield, but since then details have been thin. According to multiple outlets, this latest update suggests that a release in the mid-to-late 2020s is still realistic—perhaps even later.
Why Development is Taking Time
Several factors help explain the long wait for Elder Scrolls VI. First is scale. The team at Bethesda is reportedly building on the systems from Starfield’s Creation Engine 2, attempting deep simulation, advanced AI, and vast open-world ambition. Howard called the break since Skyrim necessary for a “creative reset”.
Another is market expectation. With each generation of hardware and game budget rising, players and investors expect fewer flaws at launch. Howard remarked that his “perfect version” of game delivery would be to “announce stuff and release it… and one day the game will just appear.”
Finally, resource constraints and studio pivots matter. Bethesda elected to focus on Starfield first, then use the learnings from that launch to deep-dive into the next Elder Scrolls. The result: long runway, high stakes.
Implications for Fans and the Industry
For the fans, the wait remains real. With Skyrim now more than a decade old and Elder Scrolls VI lacking a date, patience is being tested. For the industry, the situation is a microcosm of AAA development in 2025: vast budgets, prolonged timelines, and high expectations.
From a business angle, Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda and its Game Pass strategy may factor in. Documents have hinted the title will land on PC and Xbox platforms—and perhaps not on PlayStation—but nothing is confirmed.
For Bethesda, the cost of delay is offset by the potential payoff of getting it right. Given the legacy of Skyrim and the open-world RPG benchmarks the game must meet, rushing would risk damaging both brand and audience trust.
What to Watch Next
While precise release milestones are absent, several signals could hint at progress. A formal development update or gameplay reveal would mark a meaningful shift. Howard’s mention of a “big play test yesterday” may signal the game is entering more visible phases.
Another area to monitor is platform exclusivity. With Microsoft’s ecosystem in place, whether Elder Scrolls VI remains Xbox/PC exclusive—or goes multi-platform—will impact the strategic value of Game Pass and console bundling. Lastly, follow-through on marketing: Howard’s “just appear” comment hints at the possibility of a surprise drop model, which would upend traditional launch cycles.
To Wrap Things Up
The Elder Scrolls VI remains on the horizon rather than around the corner. Todd Howard’s frank remarks emphasise that what Bethesda is building requires time. For players, the key word is now “waiting”, but also “expectation” and that the final product will reflect the legacy of one of gaming’s most influential series.
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