Two Provinces and Naval Exploration: A Wave of New Rumors About The Elder Scrolls 6 Surfaces Online
A fresh wave of rumors about The Elder Scrolls 6 has surfaced online. The source is an anonymous 4chan poster, so take everything with a grain of salt—though it's worth noting that the same platform recently leaked footage of Starfield's buggy.
The insider began by sharing insights into Bethesda's internal workings. The game, codenamed Highfell, is currently in pre-alpha. Unsurprisingly, Todd Howard is leading the project, and the soundtrack will be composed by Inon Zur, known for his work on Starfield, Fallout 4, and Fallout 76. Bethesda had already confirmed back in 2019 that Jeremy Soule would not return as composer.
The Elder Scrolls 6 will run on an updated version of the Creation Engine. The game is set to release on PC and Xbox, though a PlayStation port is reportedly under consideration. The insider also mentioned a crunch-heavy work environment within the studio.
Now, onto the rumored gameplay details:
- Dual Provinces: For the first time in the series, two provinces will be featured in a single game, which is said to be TES 6's standout feature. The map will reportedly resemble the concept art included below.
- Naval Exploration: The game will introduce sailing and piracy as central mechanics. Players will be able to explore procedurally generated islands and customize their own ships.
- Settlement System: The settlement management mechanics from Fallout 4 are set to return, allowing players to oversee a village as a lord or ruler.
- Cities: The game is said to feature 12–13 cities. Developers aim to significantly scale up their size, comparable to Solitude and Whiterun.
- Fewer Loading Screens: Responding to player complaints about Starfield, Bethesda is reportedly working to reduce loading screens. For instance, entering cities will no longer require them.
- Simplified Progression: Bethesda is allegedly moving towards «less math, more gameplay,» streamlining the leveling system. Classes and birthsigns will be removed, but players will earn perks from reading books. Spell-learning will feature a mini-game that ties into magical skills.
