The Elder Scrolls VI

What this countdown tracks

Time remaining until Bethesda Game Studios is expected to release The Elder Scrolls VI, the first new mainline entry in the studio's flagship fantasy RPG series in more than 13 years. A 2027 release window remains the most widely cited industry estimate, though Bethesda has not formally locked a date.

Why this release matters

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has sold an estimated 60 million-plus copies across more than a dozen platforms since its November 2011 release, and Bethesda has continued re-releasing it through Special, Anniversary, and VR editions for over a decade. That commercial longevity – and the studio's relative silence since the 2018 teaser trailer for Elder Scrolls VI – has turned the sequel into one of the longest, most patiently awaited single-player game releases in the medium. Bethesda Game Studios has now publicly confirmed the project is in full production and that the majority of the studio is working on it following the launch of Starfield. Director Todd Howard has framed the title as a "classic Bethesda RPG" rather than a live-service expansion, signalling a return to the open-ended single-player template that made Skyrim a generation-defining game. Microsoft's 2023 acquisition of Bethesda parent ZeniMax means Elder Scrolls VI will also serve as a centrepiece exclusive (or near-exclusive) for Xbox and PC Game Pass.

What we know so far

Bethesda has officially confirmed the game exists, that it is in full production, and that the team is targeting a release after Starfield's expansion cycle. Beyond a 36-second 2018 teaser showing a coastal mountain landscape, no gameplay footage, screenshots, or story details have been released. The setting is widely speculated to be Hammerfell or High Rock based on the teaser's terrain, but Bethesda has not confirmed this. Platforms are expected to include Xbox Series X/S and PC at minimum; following Microsoft's revised multi-platform strategy, a PlayStation 5 release is now considered plausible but not confirmed. Pricing, edition tiers, and release date all remain unannounced. Treat any leaked feature lists or map descriptions as unverified until Bethesda publishes formal marketing.

Release details

• Release date: 2027 window (rumoured); not officially confirmed
• Platforms: Xbox Series X/S, PC; PS5 version possible but unconfirmed
• Price: not yet announced
• Studio: Bethesda Game Studios (Microsoft / ZeniMax)
• Regional variations: simultaneous worldwide launch expected

What to watch for leading up to release

• A first formal gameplay reveal, most likely at an Xbox showcase or Bethesda-dedicated stream
• Title and subtitle announcement – the project is currently referred to only by Roman numeral
• Preorder open and edition reveal, traditionally 6–9 months before a Bethesda release
• Game Pass day-one confirmation
• Review embargo lift, typically one week before launch
• Modding tool roadmap details – a defining feature of past Elder Scrolls titles
• Any official date confirmation at apple-wwdc-2026 timing peer events such as Summer Game Fest or The Game Awards

Related releases to track

Other long-cycle RPG sequels to watch alongside this one include witcher-iv-2027 from CD Projekt Red and the rumoured cyberpunk-2-orion-2028. Microsoft's 2026 first-party slate, including fable-reboot-2026, will also set expectations for what a flagship Bethesda RPG looks like on current hardware.

FAQ

When does Elder Scrolls VI release? A 2027 window is widely reported but not confirmed; Bethesda has not announced a specific date. What platforms is it on? Xbox Series X/S and PC are confirmed targets; a PlayStation 5 version is rumoured but not announced. How much will Elder Scrolls VI cost? Pricing not yet announced. Can I preorder Elder Scrolls VI? Preorders have not opened; no edition tiers have been revealed. Who makes Elder Scrolls VI? Bethesda Game Studios, a Microsoft-owned developer under ZeniMax Media.