Concerns Rise Among The Elder Scrolls 6 Developers Following Xbox Shakeup

In early July, a report surfaced indicating that Bethesda’s eagerly awaited RPG, The Elder Scrolls 6, might be over two years away from completion. Recently, insights from those directly involved in the game’s development have painted a bleak picture for the open-world sequel to Skyrim.

Bethesda Softworks, like many studios under Xbox, underwent significant restructuring in July, resulting in numerous layoffs. The teams most impacted were those working on titles such as The Elder Scrolls Online and Fallout 76, but some developers from The Elder Scrolls 6 were also affected.

Layoffs can severely dampen morale, and the situation is compounded by Xbox’s plans to cut an additional 1,600 jobs in its gaming division before the end of the fiscal year.

In the aftermath of the layoffs, a somber atmosphere has settled over the studio. Employees shared tributes on social media for their laid-off colleagues, featuring small tokens of appreciation like flowers. However, these displays were swiftly removed by management.

The layoffs have a direct effect on the development of The Elder Scrolls 6. Bethesda Game Studios, known for its work on core titles like Skyrim, has historically operated with a smaller team compared to other major franchises. While the exact number of developers let go from TES6 remains unclear, any reduction in an already limited team size—especially with the game’s lengthy development timeline—will undoubtedly have repercussions. Fewer hands on deck mean not only a slower pace but also the potential loss of valuable institutional knowledge and experience that is crucial for small teams.

An anonymous Bethesda employee expressed concerns about the future, stating, “There is a fear that we are going to be replaced by cheaper, contracted labor, or we will hire folks to replace them that will need to be onboarded (our tools are proprietary, other devs aren’t going to know how they work), resulting in more delays, and we’ll need to crunch to make up the time.”

The Elder Scrolls 6 is being developed using Bethesda’s proprietary Creation Engine 3, the same technology behind Starfield.

Another concerned team member noted that the cuts have left the remaining staff “worried about this delaying the game.” Although no official release date has been announced, Xbox’s new strategy emphasizes its major gaming franchises, including The Elder Scrolls 6 and a rumored new Fallout game from Obsidian Entertainment. The added pressure and reduced workforce heighten the chances of extended crunch periods, and the need to train new hires does not bode well for the game’s development timeline.

To address these challenges, Xbox is reportedly reallocating staff from The Elder Scrolls Online to bolster the TES6 team. However, reports suggest that Bethesda’s quality assurance department has been “decimated.” Aside from Starfield, the studio has a reputation for releasing buggy games.

Even with the introduction of contractors and reassigned internal staff, the layoffs represent a significant setback for Bethesda and its fanbase. Some of the most memorable aspects of Skyrim, including its iconic key art and the infamous character who greets players at the game’s start, were conceived by those who are no longer with the company.

The creators of the critically acclaimed RPG spinoff are set to return to this beloved franchise.