The Elder Scrolls 6 Will Return to Bethesda’s Classic Roots, Says Todd Howard
▼ Summary
– Todd Howard states The Elder Scrolls 6 will be a return to Bethesda’s “classic style” of games, contrasting the creative detours of Starfield and Fallout 76.
– The game will be built on an upgraded Creation Engine 3, developed from the engine used for Starfield.
– Howard confirms the development team includes both veteran Skyrim developers and new talent from other studios.
– He reiterates the game is still far from release, despite the studio passing a major internal milestone and actively playing early builds.
– Howard justifies the long development time as necessary to ensure the final game meets high expectations and is “great.”
Fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the legendary fantasy series can expect a homecoming to the foundational gameplay that defined the franchise. Todd Howard, the director at Bethesda Game Studios, has confirmed that The Elder Scrolls 6 will mark a deliberate return to the studio’s “classic style.” This approach signifies a shift back to the core exploration and world-building principles that made titles like Skyrim and Oblivion so iconic, following what Howard describes as creative detours with other projects.
In a recent discussion, Howard reflected on the lengthy development cycle, noting the announcement was made earlier than he would have preferred. The extended wait, however, is framed as essential for quality. He emphasized that the team is dedicated to perfecting the experience, using a vivid analogy about a turkey needing sufficient time in the oven to be delicious. This patience is fueled by a desire to fully meet the high expectations of the community.
The creative direction for the new title is clarified by contrasting it with Bethesda’s recent work. Howard characterized both Starfield and Fallout 76 as departures from their traditional design philosophy. The upcoming Elder Scrolls installment is being crafted as a return to the immersive, open-world exploration that the studio’s fans know and love. This means focusing on the intricate environmental storytelling and player-driven discovery that became hallmarks of their earlier role-playing games.
Technologically, the project is building upon a significantly upgraded foundation. The team has spent years evolving the technology that powered Starfield, advancing it to what is internally called Creation Engine 3. This new iteration of the engine will be the powerhouse for The Elder Scrolls 6 and future titles, promising enhanced capabilities to render its world.
Regarding the development team, Howard provided reassuring news about continuity and fresh perspectives. A significant portion of the talent that brought The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim to life remains with the studio, ensuring institutional knowledge guides the project. Simultaneously, new developers have joined, bringing valuable experience from other companies to inject innovative ideas into the long-awaited sequel.
While Howard confirmed the game is playable internally and the studio is approaching a major development milestone, he tempered expectations about a release date. He reiterated that the launch is “still a long way off” and “gonna be a while yet,” humorously alluding to a potential surprise release strategy. The core message remains that the studio is committed to taking all the time necessary to deliver an experience worthy of the Elder Scrolls name, with the majority of the team now dedicated to making that vision a reality.
(Source: IGN)
