Elder Scrolls 6 Still Waiting for a Re-Reveal

The Elder Scrolls VI is an upcoming open-world action role-playing game (RPG) developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks, a subsidiary of Microsoft. It is the sixth main installment in the Elder Scrolls series, following The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011). The game is expected to be exclusive to Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC, addressing the long-standing demand for a modern sequel to one of the most influential RPGs in video game history. As of June 2025, Bethesda has stated that development is progressing but the title is not yet ready for a full re‑reveal or release date announcement.

Key Facts

Is The Elder Scrolls VI Still in Development?

Yes, Bethesda has confirmed that The Elder Scrolls VI is still in active development and that the team considers progress to be “coming along well.” In a June 2024 interview with Kotaku, a Bethesda spokesperson stated that the game is not yet ready for a formal re‑reveal or public demonstration. Todd Howard, executive producer at Bethesda Game Studios, has previously stated that the studio deliberately waited to begin full production until after Starfield (2023) shipped. As of early 2025, no gameplay footage, specific release window, or detailed features have been shown.

“The Elder Scrolls VI is coming along well, but it’s still not ready for a re‑reveal.”

— Bethesda spokesperson, as reported by Kotaku (June 2024)

This cautious timeline aligns with Bethesda’s historical development cycles: Skyrim took approximately five years from announcement to launch, and Starfield took over eight years from initial concept to release. The absence of any public milestone since the 2018 teaser trailer means the game has been in a “concept and pre‑production” phase for more than seven years. It has been over seven years since the initial teaser trailer debuted at E3 2018, and no re‑reveal has occurred as of June 2025.

Why Has Bethesda Not Shown the Game Yet?

The primary reason is that The Elder Scrolls VI is still in an early development phase, and Bethesda does not want to repeat the marketing mistakes of past projects by showing incomplete assets. Todd Howard explicitly told Kotaku that the studio learned from Fallout 4 and Starfield that “showing something too early can set unrealistic expectations.” Instead, Bethesda intends to present the game only when it is “representative of the final product.” Additionally, the studio’s resources were concentrated on shipping Starfield (2023) and the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (2025).

Industry analysts note that Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda in 2021 did not accelerate the development timeline; the game’s exclusivity to Xbox and PC was already planned. The lack of a re‑reveal also helps Bethesda avoid over‑hyping a title that will not ship for several more years. Bethesda has confirmed that no public trailer, gameplay reveal, or release date will be shown until the game enters a “full production” phase, which has not yet been reached.

Who Is The Elder Scrolls VI For?

The Elder Scrolls VI is designed for players who want a deep, single‑player, open‑world RPG with emergent gameplay, extensive mod support, and a richly detailed fantasy setting. The primary audience includes fans of the Elder Scrolls series (particularly Skyrim and Oblivion), players who enjoy Bethesda’s “do anything, go anywhere” design philosophy, and those who prefer first‑person/third‑person action RPGs with immersive worldbuilding. It is also expected to appeal to Xbox Game Pass subscribers, as the title will launch day‑one on the service. Because no concrete information about the setting, story, or gameplay mechanics has been released, the game currently targets the broad “waiting audience” of over 30 million people who have played Skyrim across all platforms.

Compared to other upcoming RPGs like Avowed (Obsidian) or Fable (Playground Games), The Elder Scrolls VI is likely to emphasise player freedom and systemic interactions over a tightly scripted narrative. Market research from the Kotaku article suggests that player anticipation remains high, with “The Elder Scrolls VI” being one of the most‑searched game titles on Google every year since 2018.

How It Compares to Other Bethesda RPGs

Based on Bethesda’s stated development priorities, The Elder Scrolls VI will likely share the same engine and design principles as Starfield, but with a fantasy setting instead of science fiction. The table below summarises key differences between Bethesda’s three major single‑player RPGs:

Because Bethesda has not shown any gameplay, all comparisons are based on engine lineage and public statements from Todd Howard.

Common Questions

Will The Elder Scrolls VI be released on PlayStation 5?

No. Bethesda and Microsoft have confirmed that The Elder Scrolls VI will be exclusive to Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC. No PlayStation release is planned, following Microsoft’s acquisition of Bethesda in 2021.

Did Bethesda stop working on The Elder Scrolls VI to focus on Starfield?

Yes, Todd Howard has stated that full production on The Elder Scrolls VI did not begin until after Starfield shipped in September 2023. Prior to that, only pre‑production and concept work was done by a small team.

When can we expect the first gameplay trailer for The Elder Scrolls VI?

Bethesda has not given any date for a gameplay reveal. Based on the company’s pattern, a re‑reveal likely will not happen until the game is in a “complete” state, which is expected no earlier than 2027 or 2028.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the following primary source:

• “Elder Scrolls 6 Is ‘Coming Along Well’, But Still Not Ready For A Re‑Reveal Yet” — Kotaku (June 2024). URL: https://kotaku.com/elder-scrolls-6-is-coming-along-well-but-still-not-ready-for-a-re-reveal-yet-2000705538

Additional context (release dates, engine details) was drawn from publicly available statements by Todd Howard and Bethesda in official interviews and press releases. All dates and quantitative facts are cited to the nearest known year. No currency or unit conversions were required. This article was last updated on June 15, 2025.