The gaming universe is buzzing with anticipation as Grand Theft Auto 6 gears up for its release later this year—a monumental 12 years will have passed since its last installment graced our consoles. But if you’re a fan of The Elder Scrolls, the wait has been even more torturous, clocking in at 14 long years and still counting. These longer gap periods between releases seem to raise a pertinent question about the overall well-being of developers and the sustainability of these franchises.
Bethesda has settled into an extended development rhythm for some time now. Back in 2011, when The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion and Skyrim had a five-year gap, it was already considered lengthy compared to the typical two to three-year cycle common at the time. However, the protracted development timeline for the next Elder Scrolls chapter is quite unique. When compared to the timeline for Grand Theft Auto 6, it becomes even more remarkable.
Without any delays, Rockstar’s upcoming game is likely to dominate 2025’s gaming scene, with whispers suggesting a whopping $100 price tag. Their games are known for shaking up the market, often prompting other publishers to reshuffle their release dates to avoid clashing with Rockstar’s launches. Bethesda, however, may not have to worry too much about this.
Bethesda has been silent about any exact release date for The Elder Scrolls 6. Since teasing the game back in 2018—seven years after Skyrim—it seems the fans are left to speculate. The most optimistic among them predict a 2026 release, despite Bethesda’s lack of updates. The studio’s attention hasn’t been entirely diverted; since 2015, they’ve offered us Fallout 4, Skyrim’s Special Edition, Fallout 76 in 2018, and most recently, Starfield in 2023. Yet, the increasing intervals between major releases are hard to ignore.
Producing spin-offs and remasters diverts some of the studio’s resources, delaying their flagship projects. After Oblivion, Bethesda quickly followed with Fallout 3 within two years, then took a four-year hiatus before Skyrim and Fallout 4 came out. It then took them eight more years to develop Starfield, sneaking in some work on Fallout 76 in the meantime.
Given Bethesda’s expansive operations, multiple projects are often juggled simultaneously. It seems plausible that The Elder Scrolls 6 has been in the creative pipeline for years, especially given the buzz surrounding the promotional material with the endearing “Skyrim Grandma.” Nonetheless, full-scale production likely awaited the completion of Starfield.
This brings its own set of challenges. Starfield’s release was held up almost a year, meaning significant development team efforts were likely pulled away from the next Elder Scrolls game. Despite its eventual 2023 release, Starfield sparked debates across gaming communities regarding Bethesda’s signature style, possibly prompting the studio to reconsider its approach for TES 6. While speculative, such reconsideration could mean further delays.
Ultimately, it feels like a classic case of being caught between a rock and a hard place. A quicker release means fans get their game sooner but with less time for refinement. On the flip side, a longer development period allows for a polished product yet elevates expectations dangerously high. With no sign that The Elder Scrolls 6 is imminent, the onus lies on Bethesda to deliver a game that not only meets but surpasses its predecessors. The growing love for Skyrim only heightens the challenge for its successor.
