Eight years after its surprise announcement in 2018, The Elder Scrolls 6 is finally starting to reveal its direction. Todd Howard, head of Bethesda, has confirmed that the long-awaited RPG will mark a return to the studio’s “classic” style.
In a recent interview, the executive acknowledged that recent projects like Starfield and Fallout 76 had represented a form of experimentation. Now, the studio wants to reconnect with what made Skyrim, Oblivion or Fallout 3 so successful.
Todd Howard promises a return to classic style for The Elder Scrolls 6
Todd Howard explained that Bethesda has a well-defined gaming identity. According to him: “We have a style of our own, appreciated by our fans, and which we constantly seek to perfect. In a way, Fallout 76 and Starfield represent a small creative break compared to the classic Elder Scrolls, like Fallout, Skyrim, Fallout 3, Fallout 4 or Oblivion, where we explore a world in a certain way. And with the return to Elder Scrolls 6 which we are currently developing, we are reconnecting with this classic style which us had been missing, the one that we have mastered perfectly.” A clear statement that positions the game as a direct heir to Skyrim, released in 2011.
The Creation Engine 3 at the heart of development
The studio spent several years upgrading the Creation Engine 2, used for Starfield, to a new version. The Creation Engine 3 will serve as the basis for The Elder Scrolls 6 as well as subsequent projects. Todd Howard also reassured historical fans that “the majority of the people who created Skyrim are still around.” In addition to this experienced team, new talents have been added to enrich the project.
A playable game, but still far from release
Despite growing impatience, development remains slow. Last November, Todd Howard explained that the game was “still far from over”. More recently, he clarified: “it will still take time”. However, he confirmed an important step forward: “We can play it, we are about to take an important step internally, the majority of the studio is working on the game as well as some of our partners.” The game is therefore fully in production, but no release date has been mentioned.
Why Bethesda is taking such a long wait
Faced with players’ impatience, Todd Howard defends the studio’s strategy. “What do fans really want?” He continued: “Do they want a game that comes out too soon and doesn’t live up to their expectations? Or do they want something that’s slow-cooked so it’s perfect when it comes out of the oven? That’s what I think people are going to want. So we’re going to take our time, as long as it takes to make the game great.” Between the announcement in 2018 and 2026, the wait now exceeds that which separated Skyrim from its announced successor. Bethesda seems determined to deliver an episode that lives up to its legacy.