Bethesda Gives Update On Elder Scrolls 6 And Future After Xbox ‘Reset

A recent note from Bethesda Game Studios, penned by Todd Howard and released Friday, sidestepped the headlines surrounding Xbox’s recent layoffs but clarified the studio’s next steps across Microsoft’s most celebrated franchises. Howard outlined progress on Starfield, Fallout, and The Elder Scrolls VI, stressing a renewed focus on cutting‑edge technology, tighter team collaboration, robust live‑service support, expansion into new entertainment formats, and the creation of the next generation of Bethesda RPGs.

While Starfield, Fallout 76, and The Elder Scrolls Online will continue to receive fresh content—and several new Fallout titles are already in development alongside Fallout 5—Howard made it clear that Bethesda’s primary mission is to deliver the next major single‑player entry in the Elder Scrolls saga. “The Elder Scrolls VI is our primary development focus today, with the majority of our team currently working on the next chapter of the franchise,” he wrote. “With over 65 million copies sold, players are still exploring Skyrim 15 years later, but we know it’s been a very long wait for the sequel.”

The title was first announced at E3 2018, yet nearly a decade later, no release date or teaser has emerged. Xbox’s chief content officer Matt Booty, speaking to Variety, praised the game’s visual promise and assured that a proper announcement will be made at the right moment.

Howard’s remarks also hint at Xbox’s renewed commitment to accelerating Bethesda’s RPG pipeline. He revealed that both Elder Scrolls VI and Fallout 5 are being built on Creation Engine 3—a shared platform launched with Starfield—enabling simultaneous development of multiple projects with advanced tools, rendering, and systems that define the studio’s signature experience.

Bethesda is expanding its collaboration network by teaming up with Obsidian Entertainment on a newly greenlit Fallout title, while also forging a closer partnership with ZeniMax Online Studios to shape the future of the Elder Scrolls series. After several rounds of significant staff reductions, ZeniMax Online—once the driving force behind The Elder Scrolls Online and a canceled sci‑fi shooter MMO—now appears poised to act as a supportive arm for Bethesda.

Howard emphasized that tighter integration across the franchise will unlock richer player experiences. “By bringing our teams closer together, we’re laying a stronger foundation for everything we create next,” he said.

Earlier this week, Game File revealed that Jo Burba, the new head of ZeniMax Online, was among the recent mass layoffs at Xbox. He assumed leadership after long‑time director Matt Firon exited following the last major cut cycle in 2025. The studio also lost other key figures, including executive producer Susan Kath, game director Rich Lambert, and production director Ala Diaz.

Despite 379 layoffs across ZeniMax and Bethesda Game Studios in Maryland, Howard remains confident that fresh content for The Elder Scrolls Online will keep rolling out. His reassurances come amid concerns from those who were let go about whether the remaining teams can maintain quality and avoid delays, especially as Microsoft’s gaming division plans an additional 1,600 layoffs over the next year.