Elder Scrolls VI Officially Enters Playtesting, Targeting 2026 Launch

After years of speculation, whispers, and an eagerness bordering on obsession from fans, Bethesda has confirmed that *The Elder Scrolls VI* has officially entered the internal playtesting phase and is now targeting a 2026 release window.

The long-anticipated follow-up to 2011’s *The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim*—one of the most celebrated and modded RPGs of all time—has remained cloaked in mystery since its teaser trailer debuted at E3 2018. Since then, Bethesda has been largely tight-lipped, with development focused heavily on 2023’s *Starfield*. Now that the spacefaring RPG has launched, internal resources have pivoted more fully to the next Elder Scrolls chapter, and it seems things are finally heating up.

Sources close to the studio revealed that early playtesting began this month, starting with core gameplay systems and environment interactions. While far from a beta or public demo, internal feedback will be crucial in shaping the final months—or rather, years—of refinement. Bethesda CEO Todd Howard reportedly emphasized that the game is still in pre-alpha in many areas, but the greenlight for systematic testing marks a critical step forward that fans have been waiting a decade for.

Set in Tamriel once again, *The Elder Scrolls VI* is rumored to explore the province of Hammerfell, home to the Redguards, with vast deserts, ancient ruins, and sprawling cities offering a landscape markedly different from Skyrim’s snowy mountains. Teased tech improvements promise a more dynamic world filled with evolving NPC routines, reactive environments, and revamped combat systems.

A 2026 launch may still feel distant, but the news of active playtesting has rekindled excitement in the RPG community. For now, Bethesda remains focused on polish and innovation, with the studio reportedly committed to avoiding the rushed issues that plagued past launches.

With official details still largely under wraps, more info is expected to trickle out in 2025 as part of Bethesda’s next showcase. Until then, the long wait for the dragonborn’s spiritual successor just got a little more real.