The Elder Scrolls 6 Has “The Majority of This Building” Working On It, Says Todd Howard

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Todd Howard, the director of The Elder Scrolls 6, has shared that the majority of developers at Bethesda Game Studios are now focused on the new RPG. In an interview with GamesRadar, Howard also mentioned that The Elder Scrolls 6 will offer a different experience than the studio’s other recent games, such as Starfield and Fallout.

He explained that most of the team is currently focused on developing The Elder Scrolls 6. He said it’s fantastic to return to that series, and honestly, working on Elder Scrolls feels very different from Starfield or Fallout, which is a welcome change for the team.

He explained that games in the Elder Scrolls and Fallout series often build on the technology of previous installments. For instance, The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim improved upon the engine used in Fallout 3, and then Fallout 4 continued to refine that technology.

We’re very happy with how our franchises are performing. We’re also excited about everything related to Fallout. The biggest challenge is balancing the needs of our three core audiences, as each franchise feels like a major part of the studio itself. Think of Skyrim as a continuation of the story started in Fallout 3, and Fallout 4 as our response to the success of Skyrim.

Howard acknowledges that fans often enjoy both franchises, but also points out that many people have a strong preference for one over the other, which he considers perfectly natural. This difference in preference stems from the games having distinct atmospheres and approaches to both gameplay and development. He also highlighted that the fantasy world of The Elder Scrolls 6 creates a particularly immersive and appealing experience, feeling almost real enough to enter.

Howard also mentioned that Bethesda gained valuable experience with its Creation Engine while making Starfield. This knowledge proved helpful when they were improving the engine – moving from version 2 to 3 – while simultaneously developing The Elder Scrolls 6.

We’ve significantly improved how we worked on the engine this time around, according to the developer. Starfield used Creative Engine 2, a major shift from our previous engine. For Elder Scrolls 6, we’re building on that with Creation Engine 3, which evolved from version 2.

He explained that upgrading the engine was a major disruption for the team, feeling like their work was suddenly taken away mid-project. Despite the initial challenges, the team now appears happy with the final result.

I wasn’t the one who brought it up – the whole team agreed we needed to improve how we manage engine updates to stay productive. And they’ve done a fantastic job – it’s the best we’ve ever handled it.

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2026-03-18 18:41