Bethesda made the highly anticipated announcement of the next installment in the beloved Elder Scrolls series, The Elder Scrolls VI, five years ago. However, according to Phil Spencer, the chief of Microsoft’s Gaming division, fans will have to wait at least five more years for the game’s release. This revelation came during the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hearing, where an injunction is being sought to block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
During the hearing, an FTC lawyer questioned Spencer about the release platforms for The Elder Scrolls VI. Spencer admitted that it is currently difficult to determine which platforms the game will launch on due to its distant release date. He stated, “It’s so far out it’s hard to understand what the platforms will even be at this point.” This uncertainty could mean that The Elder Scrolls VI may not be available on the current generation of consoles.
The development timeline for The Elder Scrolls VI has been a topic of discussion for years. In 2020, Pete Hines, Bethesda’s senior vice president of marketing and communications, stated that the company would not have any significant updates on the game for quite some time. Hines emphasized that fans should focus on Bethesda’s upcoming release, Starfield, which was set to launch in September 2021. With Spencer’s recent comments, it seems that The Elder Scrolls VI will be released after Starfield, possibly skipping the current generation of consoles entirely.
The news of The Elder Scrolls VI’s distant release date may disappoint fans who have been eagerly awaiting its arrival. However, it is not entirely unexpected. Bethesda has been cautious about sharing details and has consistently emphasized managing expectations. Todd Howard, the creative director at Bethesda Game Studios, even referred to The Elder Scrolls VI as the potential “last game” of his career. This statement further highlights the significance and magnitude of the project.
With a release date five or more years away, fans will have to be patient and continue to follow any updates and announcements from Bethesda. The wait may be long, but it is clear that the development team is dedicated to delivering the best possible gaming experience. Bethesda’s track record with the Elder Scrolls series, known for its immersive gameplay and expansive worlds, suggests that The Elder Scrolls VI will be worth the wait.
In the meantime, fans can immerse themselves in the world of The Elder Scrolls through previous installments, such as Skyrim and Oblivion. These games offer countless hours of exploration, quests, and character development that can keep players engaged while they eagerly anticipate the next chapter in the series.
Overall, the announcement of The Elder Scrolls VI five years ago generated immense excitement among fans. However, the recent revelation that the game is still several years away from release may have tempered some of that enthusiasm. Nevertheless, the dedication and attention to detail exhibited by Bethesda suggest that The Elder Scrolls VI will be a game worth waiting for. As more time passes, the anticipation for this highly anticipated RPG continues to grow, ensuring that when it finally arrives, it will be met with immense enthusiasm and appreciation from fans across the world.