The Elder Scrolls 6 is the talk of the gaming world, stirring excitement among fans every time it’s mentioned. Originally announced by Bethesda in 2018, this latest installment in the cherished fantasy RPG saga has largely kept fans in the dark with its development progress. Some might say the announcement was premature, but make no mistake, The Elder Scrolls 6 is indeed in the works. As the successor to Starfield, there’s plenty of speculation on whether Bethesda will employ a similar strategy with this new addition to the Elder Scrolls lineup.
Starfield, despite receiving a mixed bag of reactions, has its post-launch DLC strategy as a standout feature. The game saw its first DLC, Shattered Space, roll out last year, and many more expansions are promised. According to Todd Howard, fans can expect DLC additions annually. If The Elder Scrolls 6 mirrors this tactic, there are clear benefits and drawbacks to consider.
The Pros and Cons of The Elder Scrolls 6 Adopting Starfield’s DLC Model
Why Annual Expansions Make Sense
There’s a lot to be said for a game that can captivate its audience long after its initial release. Regular, annual expansions are a sure-fire way to keep players engaged and coming back for more. These post-launch additions provide an excellent opportunity to enrich the game’s story and explore deeper layers of the world’s lore, much like Fallout 4’s Far Harbor, which offered gripping narratives that elevated the base game’s storyline.
Additionally, these expansions can introduce fresh content, such as new weapons, characters, and even transport options. For example, Shattered Space brought two new companion characters into the mix, enhancing the player’s crew. However, a significant downside lurks within the concept of yearly expansions.
Bethesda has yet to share any details about the next Starfield DLC’s title or release date.
The Argument Against Annual Expansions
While bolstering a game with annual DLCs might seem appealing, it does come with a hefty price: time and resources. Each year spent on creating new content for Starfield could instead be channelled into expediting the completion of The Elder Scrolls 6. This situation will undoubtedly resurface once The Elder Scrolls 6 hits the shelves. Todd Howard himself has hinted that Fallout 5 will follow The Elder Scrolls 6, and dedicating effort to expansions could delay Bethesda’s ability to release a new Fallout game.
Given options like the Creation Club in Starfield, one might question the necessity of expansive DLCs. With a mix of Bethesda-generated content and fan contributions, there might already be ample material to keep Starfield engaging for the long haul. Given Shattered Space earned feedback akin to that of the main game, it might be prudent for Bethesda to focus its efforts on their next big project, delegating only a small team to oversee community-generated content with official endorsement.
Rumor has it, according to a potential leak by YouTuber Extas1s, that we might catch our first real glimpse of The Elder Scrolls 6 come July 2025—but take that with a pinch of skepticism.
Patience: The Lingering Factor Between Game Releases
There’s no denying that The Elder Scrolls 6 has got fans buzzing with excitement, but it also carries a weight of frustration over its lengthy development time. Looking back, Skyrim debuted in 2011, and since then, the clock has kept ticking with no definite release in sight. As game development inches forward in sophistication and complexity, prolonged development stages become more understandable. Annual DLCs can inject new life into a game but might also stall the progress of eagerly awaited projects like Fallout, leaving fans—much like those of The Elder Scrolls—waiting years for the next adventure.
