As The Elder Scrolls Turns 30, Bethesda Issues Brief The Elder Scrolls 6 Update

Bethesda has celebrated the 30th birthday of The Elder Scrolls series, and in doing so provided a brief update on the in-development The Elder Scrolls 6.

The Elder Scrolls franchise began life in 1994 with The Elder Scrolls: Arena, and has seen a number of main games and spin-offs in the 30 years since. The last mainline The Elder Scrolls game, Skyrim, first launched in November 2011, a sobering 13 years ago.

During a message to fans celebrating The Elder Scrolls’ birthday, Bethesda Game Studios pointed to the 10-year anniversary of The Elder Scrolls Online, mobile castle builder The Elder Scrolls: Castles, and finally, The Elder Scrolls 6.

“Last but not least, yes, we are in development on the next chapter – The Elder Scrolls 6,” Bethesda Game Studios said. “Even now, returning to Tamriel and playing early builds has us filled with the same joy, excitement, and promise of adventure.

“Thank you again for supporting us all these decades, and all you have brought to the games, making them your own. We couldn’t be more excited to continue it and celebrate the next 30 years.”

Happy 30 years of The Elder Scrolls: pic.twitter.com/dvCiFnZo6T

— Bethesda Game Studios (@BethesdaStudios) March 25, 2024

With Bethesda’s most recent game, Starfield, just six months old and set for DLC, it’ll be years before fans get to play The Elder Scrolls 6. Indeed, Xbox boss Phil Spencer has said it won’t come out until 2028 at the earliest, putting a minimum of 17 years between it and Slyrim.

Bethesda announced The Elder Scrolls 6 in 2018, though Howard admitted in 2023 that he “would’ve announced it more casually” in hindsight. In October, Bethesda’s former design director predicted The Elder Scrolls 6 will keep Skyrim’s levelling up and progression system. While we wait to find out, check out Everything we know about The Elder Scrolls 6.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.