Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to launch later this year, 12 years after its predecessor, but fans of The Elder Scrolls series have been waiting an even longer 14 years since the last release. With game development timelines stretching and pressure on developers increasing, it’s worth questioning the impact on both creators and their game series.
Bethesda has been known for taking its time with game development for quite a while. In 2011, the five-year break between Oblivion and Skyrim seemed lengthy, considering other games at the time often had two or three-year gaps. However, the wait for The Elder Scrolls 6 has reached a new level, and GTA 6’s anticipation only highlights this further.
Moving forward, Rockstar’s upcoming release promises to make significant waves in the gaming industry, with an expected price tag of $100. Known for shaking things up, Rockstar’s releases often prompt other publishers to strategically plan their own launches. However, Bethesda may not need to be as concerned about such timing conflicts.
When it comes to The Elder Scrolls 6, predicting Bethesda’s timeline is tricky. A teaser was dropped in 2018—seven years post-Skyrim—but there hasn’t been much noise from Bethesda since. Some gamers are optimistic about a 2026 release, but with no new information, that might be wishful thinking.
In the meantime, Bethesda hasn’t been idle. Fallout 4 came out in 2015, followed by Skyrim’s Special Edition in 2016, Fallout 76 in 2018, and more recently, Starfield in 2023. While these projects kept the studio busy, they’ve also contributed to a noticeable trend of lengthening gaps between major releases.
Spin-offs and remasters certainly use developer resources, and even without them, the development intervals have grown longer. Key projects like Starfield seem to have taken priority, with The Elder Scrolls 6 likely gaining full attention only after Starfield’s completion.
This brings another challenge. Starfield faced a near year-long delay, which likely pulled focus from TES 6. Although Starfield eventually launched in 2023, its reception sparked discussions among fans about what worked and what didn’t in Bethesda’s games. This discourse probably influenced the studio’s thoughts on what TES 6 should offer, possibly delaying it further.
The situation represents a balancing act. A quicker release means a shorter wait, but a longer development period allows for more refinement—though it also raises the expectations. While TES 6 isn’t expected to arrive soon, it’s clear there’s a lot on Bethesda’s plate to surpass Skyrim—a game that seems to grow even more beloved as years go by.
