Todd Howard Assures Fans: Bethesda’s Main Focus is Now on The Elder Scrolls 6 After Xbox Challenges
A recent update from Bethesda Game Studios, shared by Todd Howard, addressed the future of the team amidst the backdrop of significant layoffs at Xbox. While not directly referencing the layoffs, Howard outlined the studio’s direction as it continues to develop key franchises within Microsoft’s lineup. He highlighted ongoing investments in technology, team collaboration, support for live games, and the expansion into new entertainment avenues, all while focusing on the next generation of Bethesda RPGs.
Howard confirmed that titles like Starfield, Fallout 76, and The Elder Scrolls Online will keep receiving new content, with several Fallout projects in the works, including Fallout 5. However, he emphasized that the studio’s top priority is the upcoming single-player Elder Scrolls game. “The Elder Scrolls VI is our primary development focus today, with the majority of our team currently working on the next chapter of the franchise,” he stated. He acknowledged the long wait for the sequel, noting that Skyrim has sold over 65 million copies and continues to captivate players even after 15 years.
The game was first announced at E3 2018, and nearly a decade later, fans are still awaiting a release date or trailer. Xbox’s chief content officer, Matt Booty, recently remarked on the game’s progress, saying, “I can tell you, having visited Bethesda and sat with Todd and seen Elder Scrolls playing, it looks amazing, and it’s coming along well. We’ll make sure to announce it and really reveal it at the right time.”
Howard’s update suggests that Xbox is committed to more ambitious timelines for releasing multiple RPGs from Bethesda in the near future. He mentioned that the teams are now developing The Elder Scrolls VI and Fallout 5 using Creation Engine 3, a shared technology platform that has been in development since Starfield’s launch. This platform enables simultaneous support for multiple projects with new tools and systems that define their games.
In addition to collaborating with Obsidian Entertainment on a newly approved Fallout game, Bethesda plans to work closely with ZeniMax Online Studios on the future of Elder Scrolls, following significant cuts at the studio. ZeniMax Online, which previously led The Elder Scrolls Online and was working on a new sci-fi shooter MMO before its cancellation, is now positioned as a support studio for Bethesda.
“By aligning more directly across the franchise, we can create even better experiences for players,” Howard explained regarding this new partnership. He believes that closer collaboration will strengthen the foundation for future projects. Reports indicated that Jo Burba, head of ZeniMax, was among those laid off during the recent cuts, along with other key leaders in the studio.
Despite the 379 layoffs affecting ZeniMax and Bethesda Game Studios in Maryland, Howard reassured fans that new content for The Elder Scrolls Online will continue. His comments about the future of Bethesda and its cherished RPG franchises come as concerns grow among those affected by the layoffs regarding the remaining teams’ ability to maintain quality and meet deadlines, especially with an additional 1,600 layoffs anticipated across Microsoft’s gaming division in the coming year.
