The Elder Scrolls VI: Release Date Speculation Fueled by Make-A-Wish Campaign

Fans of The Elder Scrolls VI, much like those eagerly awaiting Grand Theft Auto VI, are starved for concrete information. This has led to rampant speculation regarding the game's release date, fueled by nothing more than an official "create-a-character" competition.

Bethesda recently announced its latest Make-A-Wish initiative: a silent auction offering the chance to collaborate with Bethesda Game Studios to design a non-player character (NPC) for The Elder Scrolls VI. Proceeds from the auction will directly benefit Make-A-Wish.

While a commendable charitable endeavor, this announcement has ignited a firestorm of speculation within the Elder Scrolls community. Fans are drawing parallels to a similar Make-A-Wish campaign Bethesda ran for Starfield.

A Reddit user, "FartingSlowly," noted that the Starfield character creation campaign was launched approximately two and a half years before the game's September 2023 release. Based on this, they posit a September 27, 2027, release date for The Elder Scrolls VI. However, they readily acknowledge the tenuous nature of this prediction.

This speculation has been met with skepticism, with some pointing out that the Starfield Make-A-Wish competition was announced closer to its initial November 11, 2022, release date. This alternative timeline suggests a potential November 2026 release for The Elder Scrolls VI.

Do you think Microsoft will have released a next-gen Xbox by the time Elder Scrolls 6 comes out?

Nope, Xbox Series X and S will still be Microsoft's only consolesYep, and 2026 can't come soon enoughAnswerSee Results

It's been a considerable wait since Bethesda's June 10, 2018, announcement of The Elder Scrolls VI. The studio confirmed the game entered "early development" in August 2023, with "early builds" surfacing in March 2024. Even Bethesda's Todd Howard acknowledged the lengthy development time.

Initial predictions placed the release in 2028 or later, potentially coinciding with the next generation of consoles. A release then would mark an incredible 17-year gap since Skyrim. Until an official release date is announced, speculation will continue to reign.