Fans hoping to see The Elder Scrolls 6 release in 2026 are facing disappointment, as its lack of an appearance at the Xbox Showcase and other reports suggest that it's still several years away. While 2026 had been an optimistic window for some in the community, these hopes were dashed when Phil Spencer discussed Xbox's 2026 lineup at the brand's 2025 showcase, with no mention of the long-awaited game whatsoever. This has led fans to theorize that the game will not release in 2026, and with previous signs pointing to 2027 or later as the more realistic timeframe for The Elder Scrolls 6's launch, it's hard to argue against this notion.
However, despite The Elder Scrolls 6 being likely to skip next year based on Spencer's omission, 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting year for gaming. 2026 will see the release of the highly-anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6. Another game that's due for a 2026 launch is the Fable reboot, which should fill the gap for good RPG titles. This, combined with 2025 being half-over, means that the wait until 2027 - a more likely launch year for Elder Scrolls 6 - won't feel all that long.
GTA 6 May Have Taken 12 Years, But It's Still Lapping The Elder Scrolls
The wait for GTA 6 may seem like a long one, but The Elder Scrolls has managed to make its fans wait even longer for the sequel.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Only Just Entered Development
It was always unlikely that The Elder Scrolls 6 would make a 2026 release window, despite the long years since its announcement back in 2018. The Elder Scrolls 6 was officially announced at E3 with a short teaser that gave fans virtually no details, and since then, news on its development has been scarce. Bethesda’s focus remained on Starfield until its release in 2023, and the studio only confirmed that The Elder Scrolls 6 had entered early development after it had wrapped Shattered Space. Considering Bethesda’s past project timelines, which tend to span several years for major titles, a launch before 2027 appears improbable.
This prediction aligns with comments made by industry executives. Xbox executive Phil Spencer stated in 2023 that The Elder Scrolls 6 was "five plus years away", and no significant updates have emerged since then to suggest the timeline has shifted forward. Some fans had hoped that a surprise acceleration in development or a shadow launch announcement at the Xbox Showcase might occur, but the more realistic scenario reflects Bethesda’s usual development timeline, and the hope that The Elder Scrolls 6's key elements won't be rushed, given the franchise's importance to the studio and fans.
2026 Will Still Be a Great Year for Gaming
The long wait has been brutal for fans, and the thought of waiting at least two more years is disheartening. However, there is good news, as 2026 is shaping up to be a strong year for gaming overall with some exciting titles on the way. The leader among the anticipated releases is Grand Theft Auto 6, which is officially slated for a 2026 launch and is unlikely to be delayed to 2027. Rockstar Games has generated massive excitement following the game’s announcement and debut trailer, which teased a return to Vice City with a sprawling open world and dual protagonists. Given the studio’s reputation for setting industry standards in open-world design and narrative depth, GTA6 is expected to dominate attention for months, if not years, after its release.
Another notable release planned for 2026 is Fable, a reboot of the classic RPG series. Fans of The Elder Scrolls may want to keep their eyes on Fable, as it'll be closer to The Elder Scrolls in setting and mechanics, and may provide a great distraction while waiting for The Elder Scrolls 6. There isn't much known about Fable at the moment but, if it's anything like the original, it'll be a great distraction from the wait for The Elder Scrolls 6.
The sheer scope of these upcoming titles should help ease the sting of The Elder Scrolls 6 long development cycle. As massive open-worlds and high-resolution graphics become the norm, development cycles in AAA video games have become increasingly longer. With Bethesda only working on one game at a time, it's not surprising that The Elder Scrolls 6 is taking so long in development, and many players are hoping that it's a sign that it's something worth waiting for.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 82 /100 Critics Rec: 87%
- Released
- April 22, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Genre(s)
- Action, RPG, Open-World, Adventure
