Did Redfall Just Crush Our Hopes For Elder Scrolls 6?
Arkane Austin is getting ready to sink its teeth into a whole new genre, as Redfall gets ready to spread its wings and drain the lifeblood of its competitors. Dubbed a multiplayer vampire shooter, the surprise announcement was a major talking point from Microsoft and Bethesda's massive E3 showcase.
Those up on their video game history might think the name Redfall sounds a little familiar, and if you go back a few years, might remember a bizarre connection to The Elder Scrolls. As players continue to wait for even the slightest hint of when we'll return to Tamriel, here's why Redfall could be bad news for The Elder Scrolls 6.
How are Redfall and The Elder Scrolls 6 related?
In 2019, the internet exploded with the idea that The Elder Scrolls 6 would officially have the subtitle of Redfall. Possibly focussing on the Redguard race and their home of Hammerfell, it was a perfectly plausible idea that started doing the rounds when Bethesda trademarked the world "Redfall". It was all backed up by redditor u/ToddIsMyMum, who claimed to have "exclusive" insider information.
There was a lengthy post on the r/BethesdaSoftworks subreddit, and with The Elder Scrolls 6: Redfall taking off, Elder Scrolls fandom flooded the World Wide Web with theory videos jumping on the Redfall hype. Alongside details about new locations and a crafting overhaul, ToddIsMyMum even created a fake NDA takedown that was reportedly from Bethesda for "leaking" details on its long-awaited game. There was one problem - none of it was real.
Even though Redfall comes from a different studio, there are parallels between Arkane and Bethesda both being part of ZeniMax Media, the umbrella company's acquisition by Microsoft, and the fact Starfield and Redfall will be Xbox exclusives (for now). If The Elder Scrolls 6 is out there, it would almost certainly be an Xbox exclusive and would give the PlayStation rival another piece on the gaming chessboard.
The only bit of truth in the whole sordid saga was ZeniMax media trademarking "Redfall". It led to a court battle with author Jay Falconer, who was furious that the trademark could destroy his book series of the same name. ZeniMax kept its cards close to its chest about what it wanted "Redfall" for, however, E3 2021 has seemingly put the story to bed. Or has it?
Why Redfall is bad news for The Elder Scrolls 6
Considering Redfall is now confirmed as a vampire shooter, where does this leave The Elder Scrolls 6? Starfield was first announced two years ago, and with The Elder Scrolls 6 getting the official nod at the same time, it's likely a long way off. As we continue to ask "Where is The Elder Scrolls 6?", it seems those at the top of busy putting their eggs in different baskets and branching out from already established IPs like TES and Fallout.
We were already warned by Bethesda writer Michael Kirkbride that The Elder Scrolls 6 wouldn't be called Redfall in 2019, but still, loyalists refused to let the idea go. Jump forward to 2021 and we're still no closer to figuring out what TES6 will be called, let alone when it will be released. Now that the Redfall mystery has been resolved, we can go back to badgering Bethesda for The Elder Scrolls updates.
Arkane has been tinkering away on Redfall alongside the trippy time adventure that is Deathloop, so it's possible The Elder Scrolls 6 is bubbling away in the background. Then again, Bethesda doesn't have the best track record of churning out games on a regular basis. Alongside The Elder Scrolls 6, we're still searching for news about Fallout 5, while Bethesda continues to troll us by releasing the likes of the divisive Fallout 76 and Starfield between.
Both Starfield and Redfall are set for releases next year, meaning it will likely be E3 2022 until we hear any more on The Elder Scrolls 6. Considering The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim released in November 2011, a November 2021 release for No. 6 would've given the franchise some poetic justice. Sadly, it's looking more like November 2031 before we'll get to revisit The Elder Scrolls.
Images via Microsoft
