In an unprecedented revelation, Phil Spencer, Head of Microsoft’s Gaming Division, recently shared that fans of the much-loved franchise, The Elder Scrolls, might have to hold their breath for a few more years. As per Spencer’s discussion during the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hearing, the sixth instalment of the fantasy RPG, The Elder Scrolls VI, is likely to hit the gaming universe only after an extended wait of “five-plus years.”
This announcement occurred during a hearing where the FTC is contemplating an injunction to prevent Microsoft’s proposed takeover of Activision Blizzard. Despite the challenging environment, Spencer provided some much-awaited insights about the future of The Elder Scrolls VI.
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While fans have been speculating on the game’s prospective platforms, Spencer confessed that it’s too early to determine this aspect. He remarked, “Given how far off the game is, it’s currently challenging for us to specify exactly what platforms the game will launch on.”
The Elder Scrolls VI is currently in development by the same team that is wrapping up Starfield, which is expected to launch this September. Considering the team’s focus on Starfield, Spencer indicates a probable “five-plus years” before The Elder Scrolls VI graces our screens.
Bethesda, the company behind The Elder Scrolls, has previously hinted at the far-off release of the next instalment. Pete Hines, Bethesda’s Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications, stated in 2020 that the company wouldn’t have significant updates about the game for the coming years.
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Hines had previously cautioned eager fans about unrealistic expectations, stating, “If you’re asking for details now and not years from now, I’m not properly managing your expectations.” His statement is now clearly substantiated by Spencer’s recent disclosure.
Intriguingly, the distant release of The Elder Scrolls VI might even result in the game bypassing the current console generation entirely. This speculation stems from a statement made last week by Bethesda Game Studios Creative Director Todd Howard, who suggested The Elder Scrolls VI “may be the last game” of his career.
This long wait might seem daunting to fans, but the anticipation continues to build for the next epic chapter of The Elder Scrolls saga.