If you have been waiting for a concrete release date for The Elder Scrolls 6, you will have to wait a little longer. According to Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier, the highly anticipated sequel is still at least two years away from launching.
This update follows a turbulent week for Xbox, which saw 1,600 staff members made redundant and the closure of at least four studios, including significant cuts to Doom developer id Software and The Elder Scrolls Online creator ZeniMax Online Studios. While Bethesda boss Jill Braff has stated the company will now focus on its “strongest franchises,” including The Elder Scrolls, IGN understands that recent layoffs have also impacted staff at Bethesda Game Studios who were working on the project.
The Long Road to Release
It has been over eight years since Todd Howard first announced The Elder Scrolls 6 at E3 2018 with a brief CGI trailer. Since that reveal, the developer has shared almost nothing, leading to growing concern among fans regarding the lengthy development cycle. Howard himself has expressed regret over the timing of the initial announcement, joking in March 2026 that players should simply “pretend we didn't announce it.”
Despite the long wait, Bethesda maintains that progress is being made. As of February 2026, Howard confirmed that the team is able to play the game and is nearing a significant internal milestone. He has previously warned fans that the title is “a long way off” and has even teased the possibility of a shadow-drop release rather than a traditional marketing campaign.
What to Expect from Future Reveals
While the wait continues, Xbox chief content officer Matt Booty offered a glimmer of hope in a recent interview with Variety. Booty noted that he has visited Bethesda to see the game in action and reported that it is “coming along well.” Crucially, he suggested that whenever the company does decide to pull back the curtain, it will be a sign that the release is imminent.
For now, the project remains in development for PC and Xbox Series S/X, with the majority of the studio and several partners dedicated to moving the game toward completion. Whether Microsoft can accelerate this timeline without further impacting the team or compromising the final product remains the primary question for those following the latest news on The Elder Scrolls 6 release window.