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Bethesda Confirms Engine Upgrade for The Elder Scrolls VI
Bethesda Game Studios has shared new details about The Elder Scrolls VI, confirming that the long-awaited RPG will run on an upgraded version of its in-house technology, Creation Engine 3.
The update comes amid continued anticipation for the next mainline entry in the Elder Scrolls series. While Starfield delivered strong sales, its more mixed reception left some players questioning the studio’s creative direction. Despite that, excitement for a return to Tamriel remains strong.
A Return to Bethesda’s RPG Foundations
During a recent livestream with Kinda Funny Games, Todd Howard discussed the studio’s ambitions for The Elder Scrolls VI. According to Howard, the team intends to lean more heavily into the design philosophy that defined Bethesda’s earlier successes.
Rather than experimenting with structural shifts seen in titles such as Starfield or Fallout 76, Howard indicated that the next Elder Scrolls game will more closely resemble the studio’s classic RPG framework. That includes a stronger emphasis on player-driven exploration and systems in the spirit of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and earlier Fallout releases.
Creation Engine 3 Confirmed
Bethesda had previously stated that The Elder Scrolls VI would utilise Creation Engine 2, the same core technology used for Starfield. However, Howard confirmed that development has since transitioned to Creation Engine 3.
The upgrade signals continued refinement of Bethesda’s proprietary engine technology and suggests improvements in performance, world simulation and long-term scalability. Creation Engine 3 is also expected to power future Bethesda projects, reinforcing the studio’s commitment to evolving its internal tools rather than moving to third-party solutions.
While the technical update provides insight into the game’s direction, Bethesda did not reveal a release window. Howard noted that development has recently reached a significant internal milestone, but no launch timeline was shared.
For now, fans eager to return to Tamriel will have to wait for further announcements. With Creation Engine 3 now confirmed, The Elder Scrolls VI appears positioned as a foundational project for Bethesda’s next era of RPG development.
