Todd Howard Comments on Elder Scrolls 6 Development

Todd Howard has provided a new update on the ongoing development of The Elder Scrolls 6, saying the game will return to the “classic style” that Bethesda fans have come to expect from its RPGs. The latest Elder Scrolls 6 update will be great news for those who prefer some of Bethesda’s classic RPGs to its more modern offerings, such as Fallout 76 and Starfield.

The Elder Scrolls 6 was first announced back at E3 2018 with a cinematic trailer that gave away very little about the game. This trailer remains the only official promotional material about the game, and the rare updates regarding its development have come via Bethesda’s Todd Howard. He has previously said that The Elder Scrolls 6‘s early announcement was an error by Bethesda, especially given that the studio has released two games since: Fallout 76 and Starfield. With Skyrim launching back in 2011 (and subsequently being re-released several times since), it has been a long wait for gamers, which is why fans are always so eager to hear any development update about The Elder Scrolls 6.

Howard recently appeared on the Kinda Funny Gamescast, where he offered up some exciting tidbits about The Elder Scrolls 6‘s development. According to Howard, fans of Bethesda’s earlier games are going to be happy with the next Elder Scrolls title. “We do have a certain style that we like and that our fans like that we want to get better and better at. I think in some ways Fallout 76 and Starfield are a little bit of a creative detour from that classic Elder Scrolls, Fallout, a Skyrim or a Fallout 3 or a Fallout 4, Oblivion, where you’re exploring a world in a certain way,” Howard explained. “And as we come back to Elder Scrolls 6 that we’re doing now, we’re coming back to that classic style that we’ve missed, that we know really really well.”

Starfield was heavily criticized by gamers for its exploration, which involved players traveling from planet to planet via stealthily disguised loading screens. Arguably, it did not fully make use of the space setting’s potential. Players were subject to loading screens on the planets themselves, too, which stunted the game’s exploration experience. Now, with The Elder Scrolls 6, it’s back to basics for Bethesda. Luckily, as Howard points out, “the majority of people who made Skyrim are still here” at the studio, which should help it return to those roots in its upcoming RPG. But with fresh faces onboard as well as the veterans, The Elder Scrolls 6 can still offer up some new ideas.

During the interview, Howard also revealed that The Elder Scrolls 6 will use Creation Engine 3, the next iteration of Bethesda’s in-house game engine. Starfield used Creation Engine 2, but the developer has invested the time and resources to push it to its next version, which will be the driving force behind “Elder Scrolls 6 and beyond,” according to Howard. Once again, though, he was careful to point out that the game is “gonna be a while yet,” stating that, “We’re able to play it, we’re about to pass a big milestone internally, the majority of the studio is on the game and some of our partners.”

Howard has spoken a little more regularly about how The Elder Scrolls 6‘s development has been progressing lately. Most of the updates are pretty vague – understandably so, given that Bethesda is not yet ready to discuss the game in greater detail at this point. But the fact that he continues to acknowledge it is hopefully a positive sign of things to come.

Bethesda’s lack of marketing for The Elder Scrolls 6 over the years has led to extensive speculation and alleged leaks about what exactly will be featured in the game. Back in 2024, one leak seemingly revealed The Elder Scrolls 6‘s setting via a developer’s Pinterest mood board, which would certainly be a unique way for this information to come to light. Until Bethesda is ready to share more, all leaks like this should be taken with a pinch of salt.