The gaming world is abuzz with anticipation as Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to launch later this year. It’s been a long 12-year wait since the last installment, but for fans of The Elder Scrolls series, patience has been tested even further with a 14-year stretch since the previous release. As the gap between game debuts grows wider and developers face ever-higher expectations, it’s worth considering the impact on both the creators and the beloved franchises themselves.
Bethesda has long been known for its extended development timelines. Back in 2011, the five-year gap between Oblivion and Skyrim felt like an eternity compared to the then-standard two- to three-year cycles. But the wait for The Elder Scrolls 6 feels exceptionally drawn out, especially when contrasted with the similarly protracted schedule for GTA 6.
If all goes according to plan, Rockstar’s latest offering is poised to make a significant splash in 2025’s gaming market, with rumors swirling about a $100 price point. Known for shaking things up, Rockstar has even prompted other publishers to adjust their release schedules to steer clear of its launch. Fortunately for Bethesda, this isn’t likely to pose much of a concern.
Predicting a release date for The Elder Scrolls 6 is like aiming at an elusive target. The first teaser was dropped in 2018, a considerable seven years after Skyrim, and since then, fans have been eager for updates that have yet to arrive. Speculation suggests a debut in 2026 at the earliest, though this seems optimistic given Bethesda’s current silence.
Bethesda hasn’t been idle, however. Fallout 4 saw the light in 2015, Skyrim enjoyed a re-release in 2016, Fallout 76 emerged in 2018, and Starfield’s launch was a major event this past year in 2023. Yet, a worrying pattern of increasingly lengthy intervals between main releases has become apparent.
Spin-offs and re-releases do consume resources and contribute to delays for flagship titles. From Oblivion to Fallout 3, it was just two years; from Skyrim to Fallout 4, the wait was four years; and now, it’s been eight years leading up to Starfield, with Fallout 76 thrown in the mix.
Being a large studio, Bethesda has the capability to juggle multiple projects. The Elder Scrolls 6 has likely been simmering in development for some time, hinted by delightful promotional snippets like the one featuring the famed ‘Skyrim Grandma.’ Full-scale work, however, probably kicked into high gear only once Starfield was completed.
This raises another concern for The Elder Scrolls 6. The delays experienced with Starfield may have diverted focus from TES 6. Upon release in 2023, Starfield sparked debate regarding Bethesda’s design choices, likely prompting a reevaluation of TES 6’s direction—potentially causing further internal delays.
Ultimately, this presents a classic catch-22: a sooner release date means less waiting for players, but more development time could ensure a truly spectacular game. Conversely, the longer the delay, the higher the expectations. While the next chapter in The Elder Scrolls saga isn’t just around the corner, it’s clear Bethesda faces a formidable task in surpassing what’s become a beloved benchmark in Skyrim.
