In a recent appearance on Kinda Funny Games, Bethesda Game Studios’ Creative Director Todd Howard offered a rare glimpse into the production status of The Elder Scrolls VI. While Howard stopped short of providing a concrete release window, he emphasized a deliberate return to the foundational gameplay pillars that defined the legacy of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
“If you examine our portfolio, there is a clear evolution. We have established a specific aesthetic and mechanical depth that both our team and our community cherish,” Howard explained. He acknowledged that while the studio prides itself on innovation, projects like Fallout 76 and Starfield served as “creative detours” from the quintessential formula established in their earlier RPGs.
Citing Oblivion, Fallout 3, and Skyrim as the benchmarks for Bethesda’s signature exploration-heavy style, Howard noted that the team is channeling that classic DNA into the new project. “As we pivot back to The Elder Scrolls VI, we are returning to a traditional design philosophy that we have missed and understand intimately,” he remarked.
The scale of production is significant, with a dedicated workforce of over 250 developers currently focused on the title. Howard highlighted the continuity within the studio, noting that many of the core designers and programmers who built Skyrim remain at the helm of this sequel, ensuring the franchise’s heritage is preserved.
Technological advancement is also a primary focus. Howard cryptically teased that the development team is on the verge of reaching a “major milestone.” Furthermore, he revealed that the studio has spent the last several years iterating on their internal tools, evolving the Creation Engine 2 used for Starfield into the more robust Creation Engine 3, which will serve as the backbone for The Elder Scrolls VI and beyond.
It has been seven years since the game was first teased, and while updates have been infrequent, Bethesda has confirmed that the title will precede Fallout 5. Howard admitted that the premature announcement years ago wasn’t necessarily his preference, expressing a personal fondness for “shadow-dropping” games with minimal lead time. Despite the progress and early internal playtesting, Howard urged patience, concluding that while development is healthy, “It’s going to be a while yet.”
Source: Polygon
