Elder Scrolls 6 Release Still Years Away, Says Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier

More than eight years after its official debut, The Elder Scrolls 6 still appears to be at least a couple of years away from release.

Xbox upheaval fuels new questions about TES 6

The estimate comes from Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier, who discussed the project during a live Q&A that also focused on this week’s major shake-up at Xbox.

Those changes include 1,600 layoffs and the reduction of at least four studios from the company’s lineup. In addition, another 1,600 job cuts are reportedly planned across the remainder of this year.

Schreier’s comments landed alongside details that id Software was heavily affected, and so was ZeniMax Online Studios, the team behind The Elder Scrolls Online. After the cuts were announced, Bethesda leadership reportedly sent an email to staff. In that message, Bethesda boss Jill Braff said the company would “double down on its strongest franchises,” a phrasing that points toward major series such as Fallout and The Elder Scrolls.

At the same time, IGN also understands that layoffs occurred within Bethesda Game Studios, including staff working on TES 6.

When was TES 6 announced, and why hasn’t it shown up?

Taken together, the situation raises a simple but uncomfortable question: when will The Elder Scrolls 6 actually launch? It also puts a spotlight on whether Xbox’s push to accelerate development can happen without hurting the game’s quality—or placing additional stress on teams during future round(s) of reductions.

Todd Howard officially unveiled The Elder Scrolls 6 at Bethesda’s E3 press event in Los Angeles in June 2018. The reveal came through a CGI trailer that offered very little beyond the announcement itself. Since that moment, fans have largely waited in silence.

While many players hoped the June Xbox Game Showcase might finally bring the title back into view, concern has continued to grow. The worry is tied to the time gap since the release of Skyrim, which remains one of the series’ most dominant entries—and has set expectations for how long its successor should take.

Howard’s remarks over time: jokes, caution, and milestones

The last time Todd Howard publicly talked about The Elder Scrolls 6 was March 2026. At the time, he joked that everyone should pretend Bethesda never announced it. That kind of comment has echoed a broader pattern: he previously admitted, including in February, that he would have preferred not to announce the game so early.

Howard’s tone has also been consistent in recent months. As recently as last November, he told excited fans that the project is “still a long way off.” He even hinted that the game could potentially arrive without much warning, suggesting it might be possible to shadow-drop it.

In February, he reinforced the same idea, stating that “it’s gonna be a while yet.” He also offered an internal progress update, saying that the studio is “able to play it,” that it’s “about to pass a big milestone internally,” and that “the majority of the studio is on the game,” alongside “some of our partners.”

Xbox leadership’s take on timing and what comes after the reveal

In a recent interview with Variety, Xbox chief content officer Matt Booty suggested that when Bethesda finally gets around to showing The Elder Scrolls 6, it may also indicate that release is near.

Booty added reassurance from firsthand experience, saying he visited Bethesda to watch the game running. He described the project as “coming along well.” As for when the reveal will happen, his answer was framed around timing: it will arrive “at the right time.”

Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at [email protected] or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social