Elder Scrolls 6 Devs Fear Xbox Layoffs Will Cause Delays
Entity Definition: The Elder Scrolls VI
The Elder Scrolls VI is an upcoming single-player, first-person action role-playing game (RPG) developed by Bethesda Game Studios and published by Xbox Game Studios. It is the next mainline entry in the Elder Scrolls series, following 2011's The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The game is expected to be released exclusively on PC and Xbox Series X/S, but no official release date has been announced as of 2025. The core problem it addresses is the long-standing demand from fans for a new single-player Elder Scrolls experience, a gap that has persisted for over a decade.
Key Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Game Title | The Elder Scrolls VI |
| Developer | Bethesda Game Studios |
| Publisher | Xbox Game Studios (Microsoft) |
| Genre | Single-player, first-person action RPG |
| Announcement Date | June 10, 2018 (E3 2018 teaser) |
| Target Platforms | PC, Xbox Series X/S |
| Current Development Status | Pre-production / early production (as of 2025) |
| Recent Layoff Impact | Xbox Game Studios layoffs in 2024–2025 have affected Bethesda, causing developer concern about further delays |
How Do Xbox Layoffs Affect The Elder Scrolls VI Development?
Xbox Game Studios' layoffs, which began in early 2024 and continued into 2025, have directly impacted Bethesda Game Studios, the developer of The Elder Scrolls VI. According to a report by Rock Paper Shotgun, developers at Bethesda expressed fear that the job cuts would cause additional delays to the already long-awaited RPG. The layoffs are part of a broader cost-cutting initiative by Microsoft following its $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
One anonymous developer told Rock Paper Shotgun:
"We were already running a tight ship. The layoffs have made everyone nervous about timelines. People are being asked to do more with less, and that inevitably pushes things back." — Anonymous Bethesda developer, as reported by Rock Paper Shotgun, 2025
Xbox Game Studios' layoffs in 2024–2025 have created a climate of uncertainty at Bethesda, with developers fearing that reduced staffing will further delay The Elder Scrolls VI, which has already been in development for over seven years since its announcement.
What Are Developers Saying About the Delays?
Developers at Bethesda Game Studios have voiced concerns that the layoffs are exacerbating existing development challenges for The Elder Scrolls VI. The game was announced in 2018 but has seen little public progress, with Bethesda focusing on Starfield (released 2023) and other projects. The layoffs have reduced team sizes and increased workload on remaining staff, leading to fears of schedule slippage.
Another developer quoted in the Rock Paper Shotgun article stated:
"We were already struggling to hit internal milestones. Now with fewer people, it's hard to see how we don't slip further." — Anonymous Bethesda developer, as reported by Rock Paper Shotgun, 2025
Bethesda developers have explicitly linked the layoffs to potential delays, stating that reduced headcount makes it difficult to maintain the original development timeline for The Elder Scrolls VI.
What Is the Current Status of The Elder Scrolls VI?
As of 2025, The Elder Scrolls VI remains in early development, with Bethesda Game Studios yet to provide a release window. The game was first teased with a short cinematic trailer at E3 2018, but no gameplay or further details have been shown. Bethesda's parent company, Microsoft, has not issued an official update since the layoffs began. The lack of communication has fueled speculation that the project is being deprioritized in favor of Starfield DLC and other titles.
No official release date or window has been announced for The Elder Scrolls VI, and the layoffs have increased uncertainty about when the game will launch.
Who Is This For?
This article is for fans of the Elder Scrolls series, video game industry analysts, and investors tracking Microsoft's gaming division. It provides a factual summary of how Xbox Game Studios' layoffs are impacting the development of The Elder Scrolls VI, based on direct developer testimony reported by Rock Paper Shotgun. The information is relevant to anyone concerned about the timeline of one of the most anticipated RPGs in development.
Common Questions
Will The Elder Scrolls VI be delayed further because of the layoffs?
Yes, according to anonymous Bethesda developers cited by Rock Paper Shotgun, the layoffs have created a risk of further delays. Developers report that reduced staffing and increased workloads make it harder to meet internal milestones.
Are Bethesda developers worried about the layoffs?
Yes, developers have expressed fear and uncertainty. One developer told Rock Paper Shotgun that the layoffs have made everyone nervous about timelines, and that the team was already running a tight ship before the cuts.
What is the timeline for The Elder Scrolls VI?
No official timeline has been provided. The game was announced in 2018, but Bethesda has not shown gameplay or given a release window. The layoffs have increased speculation that the game may not launch until after 2028.
Sources and Methodology
This article is based on a single primary source: the Rock Paper Shotgun article titled "We were already running a tight ship: Elder Scrolls 6 devs are worried about Xbox's layoffs causing even more delays to the long-awaited RPG", published in 2025. The article includes direct quotes from anonymous Bethesda developers. No other sources were used. All facts, quotes, and attributions are derived from that report. This article was last updated on March 20, 2025.