The Elder Scrolls 6 Development Is Smoother Than Starfield, But Still Years Away

The Elder Scrolls 6 has been in the spotlight since its reveal eight years ago, raising concerns about a difficult development cycle. However, new insights suggest the situation is far more stable than many expected.

Development Progress More Stable Than Expected

According to information shared by Windows Central, Todd Howard revealed that development on The Elder Scrolls 6 has actually been smoother compared to Starfield. This contrasts with long-standing assumptions that the project faced major internal challenges.

Howard also admitted that announcing the game so early may have been a mistake. The original reveal served mainly to confirm that Bethesda planned to continue the Elder Scrolls series, rather than signal active development progress at the time.

Starfield Took Priority First

Bethesda initially focused its resources on completing Starfield, which pushed The Elder Scrolls 6 into a later production phase. Now that Starfield has launched, the studio has shifted most of its workforce toward the next Elder Scrolls entry.

The transition appears to have benefited development. Unlike Starfield, which relied on Creation Engine 2, the new project is being built with Creation Engine 3, improving workflows and overall efficiency.

Improved Technology and Coordination

One of the key differences this time is how Bethesda handles internal coordination. During Starfield’s development, the studio reportedly faced challenges aligning teams and systems.

With The Elder Scrolls 6, those issues seem reduced. The updated engine and refined processes allow teams to work more efficiently, helping avoid previous bottlenecks.

Still “A Long Ways Off”

Despite the smoother development, fans should not expect the game anytime soon. Todd Howard reiterated that The Elder Scrolls 6 is still “a long way off,” confirming earlier statements about its distant release window.

While progress continues steadily, Bethesda is taking a longer-term approach to ensure the final product meets expectations.

Starfield PS5 Release Also Confirmed

In related news, recent rumors about Starfield expanding beyond Xbox have proven accurate. The game is now confirmed to launch on PlayStation 5 in April, alongside a major content update.

This marks a significant shift for Bethesda, signaling a broader platform strategy while work continues on its next flagship RPG.

Overall, while The Elder Scrolls 6 may still be years away, current updates suggest a more controlled and efficient development process than initially feared.