Todd Howard says Elder Scrolls 6 returns to “classic” Skyrim-style RPG

Bethesda has officially acknowledged The Elder Scrolls 6 and confirmed it will focus on the classic role-playing elements that made Skyrim so popular.

Starting in February 2026, the development team finally began to reveal more about The Elder Scrolls 6, a game that had been shrouded in secrecy for a long time. The initial teaser from 2018 only showed a glimpse of the coastline and the game’s title, and fans have been asking for updates ever since.

While fans eagerly waited for news, Bethesda released Fallout 76 and then Starfield. Throughout this time, there was a lot of guessing about what the team was working on, particularly regarding potential locations like Hammerfell and the Iliac Bay. Though playable internal versions were confirmed in early 2024, the overall plan remained unclear to fans.

Todd Howard revealed it on the Kinda Funny Gamescast on February 18, 2026.

Todd Howard admits Fallout 76 and Starfield were detours

When questioned about whether Bethesda was sticking to one specific style or remaining open to new ideas, Howard emphasized the studio’s ability to adapt. He explained that their games have always shown a pattern of evolution.

Conversation about Elder Scrolls 6 starts at 9:20 mark.

He then highlighted a difference in approach: Fallout 76 and Starfield represent a shift from the traditional style of games like Skyrim, Fallout 3, and Fallout 4, which focused on a specific type of world exploration.

With The Elder Scrolls 6, we’re returning to the traditional style of gameplay that fans have been waiting for – the kind of experience we’re most familiar with and excel at creating.

This isn’t just a return to familiar ideas; it’s built on significantly improved technology. Howard revealed the team has spent years upgrading Creation Engine 2 to Creation Engine 3, which will be the foundation for Elder Scrolls 6 and future games. He emphasized advancements in how the game world is built and how Bethesda now manages detailed environments up close, resulting in a richer and more connected experience.

I’m really excited about the new game! From what I’ve gathered, the developers, led by Howard, know exactly where the story will take place and have some cool ideas already. He’s not giving away too much yet, though – he says it’s still going to be a while before they share more details, but it sounds like they’re making good progress.

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2026-02-19 00:48