It has long been suspected that we wouldn’t be hearing anything about The Elder Scrolls VI in 2020, and possibly not even in 2021 either. Recently, a rather blunt (if deservedly so) tweet from Bethesda Senior Vice President Pete Hines confirmed these rumors.
A fan Tweeted at Hines asking for an update in rather rude terms. “Let’s cut the sh$t, when can we expect some info on #TheElderScrollsVI” demanded Quinton Meyers, who goes by @KilowattQ on Twitter.
Hines’ response only reinforced what Elder Scrolls fans were already guessing. He stated that Elder Scrolls VI news would not be becoming until after more information was shared regarding Starfield, an upcoming original space-themed RPG about which very little, including a release date or even release window, is known.
The senior Vice President continued: “If you’re coming at me for details now and not years from now, I’m failing to properly manage your expectations.” To this, a contrite Meyers responded simply with, “Well said, Pete.”
It’s after Starfield, which you pretty much know nothing about. So if you’re coming at me for details now and not years from now, I’m failing to properly manage your expectations.
— Pete Hines (@DCDeacon) May 10, 2020
Bethesda has also confirmed that they are not holding a digital replacement for E3. However, they have indicated that information will be released regarding two future titles – but these titles are a first-person action game Deathloop and action-adventure-mystery hybrid Ghostwire: Tokyo, not Starfield or the next Elder Scrolls installment.
Both Starfield and Elder Scrolls VI were initially announced at E3 2018. Very little news has been shared regarding either title, with Bethesda’s E3 2019 announcement primarily consisting of encouraging fans to be patient.
Bethesda has recently listed job postings which seem to indicate that development of The Elder Scrolls VI has at least begun, although it may still be in the very early stages. Other than that, all fans have to go off of is a brief teaser trailer and executive producer and lead director Todd Howard’s comments that Bethesda hopes to make the game as successful and enduring as its widely beloved predecessor, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
Said Howard in an interview with IGN: “This is a game we need to design for people to play for a decade at least.” It sounds like, although the game will be years in the future, The Elder Scrolls VI will undoubtedly be worth the wait.
In the meanwhile, fans are encouraged to treat game developers and publishers with respect, especially during these difficult times. Studios such as Bethesda are continuing to work hard to produce new content and release new games despite the difficulties provided by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Let’s give Pete Hines, Todd Howard, and everyone else as much support as we can.
