A former senior developer at Bethesda Game Studios has shed light on one of the gaming industry's biggest mysteries: why the company announced The Elder Scrolls 6 so many years before it would be ready. The revelation provides a rare look into the strategic decisions made by major game publishers.
The Strategy Behind the Early Announcement
Nate Purkeypile, who worked as a lead artist on The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and contributed to several Fallout games, shared his insights in a recent interview. He explained that the primary reason for the 2018 announcement was to manage fan expectations during an exceptionally long wait between major franchise entries.
"My assumption was always that we were announcing Starfield, and it had been so long already since Skyrim that we needed to make sure people were not just upset with us," Purkeypile told Esports Insider. The developer pointed out that creating such early trailers is a costly endeavor, indicating the lengths Bethesda was willing to go to reassure its player base.
A Timeline of Anticipation and Delays
Bethesda made the dual announcement of Starfield and The Elder Scrolls 6 at its E3 2018 presentation. Starfield was released five years later, in 2023. However, as of 2026, the next Elder Scrolls game still does not have a confirmed launch window.
Studio director Todd Howard has consistently stated that the game is still far off. Industry analysts and some reports have speculated that the release could be as late as 2028, which would mean a full decade after its initial announcement.
A Shift in Development Philosophy
Purkeypile also commented on a significant change in Bethesda's internal culture regarding game releases. He suggested the studio now prioritizes quality over meeting rigid deadlines, a shift from past pressures to stick to strict schedules.
"I think there is less economic pressure to just get Elder Scrolls VI out on a date, but there is more economic pressure to actually make sure it's good," he said. He described this change as healthy, provided the development team is given clear and honest communication about these goals.
While acknowledging the frustration of a lengthy wait for fans, Purkeypile indicated that this extended, quality-focused development cycle could benefit everyone in the long run. His comments arrive amidst intense ongoing speculation from the global gaming community, where every social media post or statement from Bethesda is scrutinized for hints about the game's progress.
