Despite previous reports revealing the game’s 2026 release window, The Elder Scrolls VI is at least five years away and is likely to release, unsurprisingly, only on PC, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S.
Today, new court documents of the FTC vs. Microsoft case surfaced online, including a summary of Microsoft’s approach following acquisitions since 2018, which includes all games released by Bethesda since its acquisition as well as the yet-to-be-released sixth entry in The Elder Scrolls series. According to the document, the game is not releasing on PlayStation 5, and its expected release window is 2026 or later. As reported on X/Twitter by Axios’ Stephen Totilo, during the testimony at the hearing, Phil Spencer clarified the game’s release date, saying that it is at least five years out, and that platforms have yet to be determined, although, back in 2022, Microsoft did say that The Elder Scrolls VI is unlikely to release on platforms other than PC and Xbox Series X|S.
And in another newly-released document from the FTC case, here's is Microsoft telling the FTC in Sept 2022 that ESVI "may be released only on Xbox and PC" pic.twitter.com/axaGUwWAW8
— Stephen Totilo (@stephentotilo) September 18, 2023
Given how Microsoft is acquiring publishers to provide Xbox users with exclusive titles, no one should be surprised to learn that The Elder Scrolls VI is extremely likely to be an Xbox Series X|S and PC exclusive. Starfield‘s exclusivity seems to have been paying off, as the game is the fifth-best launch in Europe of the year despite being available via Xbox Game Pass, so exclusivity will likely pay off the same way, if not even more, for the next entry in what is one of the most popular role-playing game franchises ever.
The Elder Scrolls VI launches on a yet-to-be-confirmed release date. We will keep you updated on the game as soon as more come in on it, so stay tuned for all the latest news.
