Now that Starfield has been released, Bethesda fans around the globe grow restless for news about the next chapter in the beloved Elder Scrolls saga: The Elder Scrolls 6.
It’s been nearly 6 years since the RPG was first announced with a vague title trailer at E3 2018, but now that Bethesda is actively working on it, we can expect occasional leaks for TES6 over the next few years, with former employee Bruce Nesmith being one of the first to offer some tantalizing hints.
Magic May Be A Focus For Elder Scrolls 6
In a YouTube interview with MinnMax, Nesmith, who played a major role in shaping The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim‘s world, suggests that The Elder Scrolls 6 might borrow and “further develop” features from past Bethesda games, possibly going all the way back to The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion.
Exactly what these features will be is anyone’s guess, but Nesmith assures fans that his past work will leave its mark on the highly-anticipated Elder Scrolls entry. This is especially good news for those who enjoyed Skyrim‘s magic system. Nesmith hinted that some of those magical elements could make a comeback in TES6. Those who opted for wizard builds must be salivating right now.
Nesmith is a Bethesda veteran, having worked with the studio since 1996’s Elder Scrolls: Daggerfall. His design work has shaped countless Bethesda RPG experiences that we hold dear. These days, Nesmith funnels his knack for fantasy into novels, with his 2021 book Mischief Maker: Norse Mythology Reimagined.
Where Will The RPG Take Place?
The Elder Scrolls 6 itself remains a big mystery. Nesmith’s comments are mostly educated guesses from a period where the RPG wasn’t being actively worked on, so it’s entirely possible that development priorities may have moved around since.
It’s been highly speculated that the game will take place on the continent of Tamriel, where previous titles explored regions like High Rock, Hammerfell, and Skyrim. Uncharted lands like Valenwood, Elsweyr, and Black Marsh still wait to be discovered, but Bethesda could also revisit older locations.
The initial 2018 teaser doesn’t reveal much, but many believe the game could be set in either Hammerfell or High Rock. Adding fuel to the Hammerfell fire is a cryptic 2020 tweet from the official Elder Scrolls X/Twitter account. It mentions “transcribing the past and mapping the future” alongside an image showing an unexplored area of Hammerfell.
As official updates will be hard to come by, speculation and informed guesses from knowledgeable employees like Nesmith’s are our best bet at imagining what The Elder Scrolls 6‘s vast world holds. With the potential expansion of Skyrim‘s magic systems and the possibility of exploring all-new lands, the wait for the next epic Bethesda adventure might just be worth the excruciating wait.
The Elder Scrolls 6 is rumored to release in 2028 on Xbox Series X/S and PC, potentially skipping PS5. The RPG will also be available to Xbox Game Pass subscribers at no cost.
