Elder Scrolls 6 is Not Coming Out Anytime Soon, But a Shadow-Drop Release Isn't Out of the Equation

Seven years after Bethesda’s E3 2018 teaser, The Elder Scrolls 6 isn’t close. Todd Howard says the game is “still a long way off,” and he’d rather not pin a date then make everyone sit around for years. He even floats the idea of a quiet build-up and a sudden release—yes, a shadow-drop. In the short term, Bethesda’s attention looks fixed on Fallout, with VGC hearing a Fallout 3 remaster is underway, while Oblivion Remastered already landed earlier this year.

What Todd Howard actually said

Howard keeps it simple: patience. He says TES6 is “still a long way off” and he doesn’t want fans “to feel anxious.” He also dislikes announcing far-off dates, preferring to reveal and release in a tighter window.

• “Still a long way off” is the current status.
• No release window or platforms discussed.
• He’d “love” the game to “just appear” one day.

That last bit points to the team avoiding lengthy hype cycles. After years of silence since 2018, Bethesda is clearly trying not to raise expectations too early—and then miss them.

Shadow-drop vibes after Oblivion Remastered

Asked if Oblivion Remastered’s surprise release was a test for TES6, Howard didn’t deny it. He said the approach “worked out well,” which sounds like Bethesda is open to repeating the move.

• Oblivion Remastered launched this year without a long runway.
• A similar approach for TES6 isn’t promised—but it’s on the table.
• Shadow-dropping a mainline Elder Scrolls would keep expectations in check until it’s ready.

For context, we already saw Bethesda drop Oblivion Remastered this year; if you missed it, that’s a concrete example of the playbook Howard is hinting at.

Fallout takes centre stage—for now

Howard says Bethesda has “hundreds of people on Fallout” between Fallout 76 and “other things.” VGC adds that one of those “other things” is a Fallout 3 remaster—framed as similar in scope to this year’s Oblivion Remastered.

• Fallout 76 continues to get live-service attention.
• A Fallout 3 remaster is understood to be in development, per VGC.
• TES6 remains the next brand-new release after the Fallout work.

If you’re in the UAE and itching for something new in that universe, Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition just launched with all DLC and a refreshed content bundle—plenty to tide you over.

The bigger strategy: announce late, ship when ready

This isn’t just about one game. It’s a shift in how Bethesda communicates.

• Avoiding date promises reduces backlash if timelines slip.
• Shadow-drops work when your brand is strong and the game is genuinely ready.
• Keeping the team focused (right now on Fallout) could prevent split priorities.

If TES6 appears with a shorter promo cycle, the upside is clear: less time doom-scrolling rumours, more time actually playing.