– The Elder Scrolls VI development is taking significantly longer than previous entries (15+ years since Skyrim).
– Bethesda is waiting for the “right moment” to reveal the game to ensure it’s the best possible version with a “coming soon” promise.
– Xbox executive Matt Booty has seen the game in action and says it looks “amazing” and development is progressing well.
– No official release date or trailer window has been given; fans speculate a reveal could happen on Bethesda’s 40th anniversary (November 15, 2026).
A Long Wait for The Elder Scrolls VI
Alongside GTA 6, The Elder Scrolls VI is arguably one of the most anticipated open-world games right now, but Bethesda and Microsoft have been testing the patience of the series’ fans for 15 years now. While only four years passed between the third and fourth installments of the series and only five years between Oblivion and Skyrim, the development of the sixth installment appears to be taking significantly longer.
Matt Booty Visits Bethesda
The Elder Scrolls VI was announced at E3 in 2018, but aside from a logo, Bethesda didn’t reveal any details about the game at the time. Eight years and a Microsoft acquisition later, Matt Booty, the Chief Content Officer at Xbox, spoke in an interview with Variety on the game’s current status. According to him, Bethesda wants to wait for the “right moment” to present the game to the public. That’s because when the game is shown, they want to demonstrate the best possible version of the game, along with a promise that it will be released “soon.”
What We Know So Far
Matt Booty says he visited Bethesda and saw The Elder Scrolls VI in action. The game is said to look “great,” and development is reportedly making good progress. However, Matt Booty gives no indication in the interview as to when the first trailer or even the game’s launch might be expected. Fans are speculating on Reddit that an announcement on Bethesda’s 40th anniversary on November 15, 2026, is a possibility. Matt Booty’s full statement reads as follows:
A Statement from the Boss
I would say one of the more challenging balancing acts of someone in a job like mine is balancing that you want to go show the world all the cool stuff you’re working on, and you want to get them excited early, but we also know that we want to wait till the right moment. And when you decide to show it, you want it to be the best you’ve got. And also that when you show the game, you’re also giving them a promise of, hey, it’s coming soon. So I can tell you, having visited Bethesda and sat with Todd and seen “Elder Scrolls” playing, it looks amazing, and it’s coming along well. And we’ll make sure to announce it and really reveal it at the right time.
- Game was announced at E3 2018 with only a logo
- Microsoft acquired Bethesda in 2021
- Matt Booty confirms development is progressing well
- No release date or trailer date has been given yet
- Fans speculate a 2026 announcement for Bethesda’s 40th anniversary