It’s been five years since we last saw The Elder Scrolls VI by way of a short teaser from Bethesda Softworks. Five years later and all we’ve got to short for it is that Bethesda pushed it back in favor of Starfield and that it’s in pre-production. And, oh, it might be Todd Howard’s last game as well. But, while most have accepted that it won’t be arriving anytime soon, a Microsoft lawyer just skipped a couple of entries and revealed that The Elder Scrolls 16 will be out in three years.
The Elder Scrolls fans couldn’t help but chuckle following a flippant remark from Microsoft’s legal counsel during the FTC versus Microsoft case, as pointed out by The Verge.
Apparently, they’d suggested that The Elder Scrolls 6 will be out as early as 2026.
While it was clear that the lawyer was referring to Elder Scrolls 6, the mishap provided a moment of brevity in an otherwise chaotic hearing that saw Bethesda feel confused about Microsoft’s stance on exclusivity. The case revolves around the FTC’s efforts to block Microsoft’s bid to acquire Activision Blizzard, a move that has the potential to reshape gaming drastically.
In any case, the claim regarding Elder Scrolls 6’s release date was an attempt to differentiate it from the Elder Scrolls Online multiplayer game. However, the lawyer’s words only added more uncertainty to an already enigmatic situation.
Last week, Xbox head Phil Spencer, during his testimony, stated that Elder Scrolls 6 is at least “five-plus years away. This would, according to Spencer’s estimate, set the game’s release date closer to 2028, right around the same time when the PlayStation 6 and the next Xbox console will be out, not the 2026 release window suggested by the lawyer.
This incident is the latest in a string of blunders during the FTC versus Microsoft hearing. Previously, improperly redacted documents and other missteps made the courtroom proceedings even more chaotic. The Elder Scrolls mishap adds a new, surreal layer of bewilderment to an already complicated case, which is now punctuated by lawyers clumsily discussing game specifics and debating over the capabilities of a gaming PC versus a standard PC.
While it can be amusing to see legal professionals stumbling over gaming jargon, it underscores the critical importance of understanding the nuances of the gaming industry in such a high-stakes case.
This saga sheds light on Bethesda’s future under the Microsoft banner as well. With the Xbox boss confirming that future Bethesda titles, including the likes of Elder Scrolls 6, Fallout 5, and the Indiana Jones project, would be Xbox exclusives, there’s an air of uncertainty for PlayStation fans of these franchises.
It’s not unusual for gaming companies to shift towards exclusive content to maintain a competitive edge, this move could stir discontent among fans used to enjoying Bethesda’s games on different platforms.
However, despite the legal confusion and blunders, one thing remains clear: The Elder Scrolls 6 is coming. While we don’t have a precise release date, the anticipation is part of the thrill.
Despite the intrigue, uncertainty about the release date, and the shift to Xbox exclusivity, the fervor surrounding the next Elder Scrolls remains undeniable.
Whether it’s 2026 or 2028 or much, much later, fans will have no choice but to make do with the series’s previous entries, one of which, by the way, might be the best-selling single-player RPG of all time.
