After 12 Years in Development, GTA 6 Surpasses The Elder Scrolls

Later this year, we’re expecting the much-anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6, a full 12 years after its predecessor. But if you think that’s a long stretch, consider The Elder Scrolls franchise: it’s been over 14 years and counting. As we see these development cycles expanding and the pressure on developers increasing, it raises a few important questions about the possible impacts on the people behind these games and the giants of gaming they work for.

Bethesda has long been known for its extended development timelines. Cast your mind back to 2011, and the five years separating Oblivion and Skyrim seemed like an eternity, especially when other studios were churning out sequels every two to three years. Yet, the delay for The Elder Scrolls 6 stands out as particularly lengthy, and the release of GTA 6, with its own drawn-out path, only highlights this more.

Looking ahead, 2025 is shaping up to be an impressive year for gaming, especially with Rockstar’s next big release purportedly priced at a cool $100. Rockstar is famous for shaking things up in the gaming world, often prompting other publishers to tactically adjust their launch schedules. However, Bethesda probably won’t need to worry too much about that kind of calendar chaos this time around.

Predicting a release for TES 6 is like throwing darts blindfolded; Bethesda keeps its cards close to the chest. When they teased The Elder Scrolls 6 in 2018—seven years after Skyrim—it felt like a breakthrough. Yet, here we are, almost as much time passed since that teaser with little more than fan theories suggesting a 2026 release. All the while, Bethesda remains largely silent.

But let’s be fair, Bethesda hasn’t just been twiddling its thumbs. We’ve seen the rollout of Fallout 4 in 2015, the Special Edition of Skyrim in 2016, Fallout 76 in 2018, and the more recent launch of Starfield in 2023. Even so, there’s a concerning trend taking root here.

Side projects and re-releases inevitably consume resources, putting the brakes on main series development. From Oblivion to Fallout 3 was a two-year leap, then four years to Skyrim, another four to Fallout 4, and finally eight years landing us in the era of Starfield with some detours to Fallout 76.

Bethesda isn’t just any studio—they balance multiple projects comfortably. There’s no doubt The Elder Scrolls 6 has been on the backburner for ages (remember the promo with the gaming grandma?), but it only likely hit full-speed development after Starfield wrapped up.

Here’s where it gets tricky: the delays that plagued Starfield probably diverted focus from TES 6. Its eventual 2023 debut was met with split opinions, sparking debates about the essence of Bethesda’s signature style. This likely spurred some introspection within the halls of Bethesda about what they want TES 6 to become, potentially pushing its timeline further back.

We’re caught between a rock and a hard place. The quicker TES 6 launches, the shorter our wait, but longer development promises polished, jaw-dropping results. Yet, as time drags on, so do expectations. Whatever unfolds, don’t hold your breath for an imminent release. The journey to outshine Skyrim is monumental, especially as its following only grows more passionate with each passing year.