Bethesda Is Already Talking About Elder Scrolls 7
Tamriel is a big ol' place, and with this in mind, it's clear we're nowhere near the end of our Elder Scrolls journey. Bethesda has some serious gaming giants under its belt, with Fallout and Prey sitting neatly next to The Elder Scrolls and hopes Starfield could be another big hitter.
It's been 10 years since The Elder Scrolls last delivered a new game, but obviously, that doesn't mean we've forgotten about Skyrim. A whole decade later, we're still modding our way around as the Dragonborn and even enjoying fishing in the new Skyrim Anniversary Edition. Even though Bethesda has already spoken about The Elder Scrolls 6, is it ever too early to talk about The Elder Scrolls 7?
The Elder Scrolls 7: What's Been Said?
Click to enlargeXbox boss Phil Spencer hasn't directly confirmed The Elder Scrolls 7 is on the way, however, he's given us our best indication yet that The Elder Scrolls 7 is on the (very distant) horizon. In an interview with GQ, Spencer opened up about the mythical Elder Scrolls 6 and its even more mythical successor.
Discussing the impact of Skyrim, Howard explained, "I think that would drive me crazy to try to say, 'Okay, this is the thing you have to top'. Then you realise, like, The Elder Scrolls 6 has got to be a 'decade game'. How do you make a game where you go into it, like, 'people have to play it for a decade?'"
The implication is that The Elder Scrolls 7 will follow in the footsteps of the sixth main series entry. We're almost assured The Elder Scrolls 6 won't arrive this side of 2023, meaning its status as a "decade game" would lead to a 2033 release for The Elder Scrolls 7. However, let's remember a 2023 release for TES6 would be 12 years after Skyrim.
It's logistically feasible to imagine The Elder Scrolls 7 coming in 2035 at the earliest, and even that's assuming The Elder Scrolls 6 comes out in 2023 - which looks increasingly unlikely. Basically, The Elder Scrolls 7 is an achingly long way away, so what's the point in even thinking about it? It's a bit like discussing Avengers 6 when there isn't even Avengers 5 yet.
The Elder Scrolls 7: When Will We Know More?
Spencer previously warned The Elder Scrolls 6 would be a way out. Bethesda is prioritising Starfield and the Fable reboot ahead of The Elder Scrolls 6. So, don't expect anything on The Elder Scrolls 7 for years. This is the problem with Microsoft's current monopoly on the market and having so many legacy franchises vying to top place alongside newcomers like Starfield.
Even if we're left in the dark about when The Elder Scrolls 6 will release, Microsoft has potentially ended the great console wars with Sony in a single blow. It's now almost certain The Elder Scrolls 6 will be an Xbox exclusive. Poised to be one of the biggest games of all time, Sony is destined to be locked out in the cold as Microsoft reaps the rewards of Tamriel.
By the looks of it, Microsoft's purchase of ZeniMax Media is the most lucrative in gaming history. Still, if you think there's a long wait for The Elder Scrolls 6 or even The Elder Scrolls 7, let's have a moment's silence for Fallout 5. Sometimes it feels like we're locked in our own underground vault.
