The Elder Scrolls community is buzzing again after a detailed leak surfaced claiming to reveal major features coming to the long-awaited sixth entry in Bethesda’s beloved RPG franchise. The leak, which originated from an anonymous 4chan post, describes everything from naval battles to dragon encounters, but gaming insiders are urging fans to pump the brakes on their excitement.
What the Leak Claims
The anonymous poster provided an extensive list of supposed features for The Elder Scrolls 6. According to the leak, the game will be set across two provinces, Hammerfell and High Rock, marking the first time a mainline Elder Scrolls game spans multiple regions since Daggerfall in 1996. The post claims players will explore 12 to 13 major cities, significantly more than Skyrim’s nine hold capitals.
Perhaps the most exciting details involve new gameplay mechanics. The leak suggests Bethesda will introduce naval combat and ship building inspired by Starfield’s vehicle systems. Players would allegedly be able to acquire different vessels ranging from simple rowboats to large sailing ships, complete with NPC crew management similar to Fallout 4’s settlement system. Underwater exploration and explorable coastal islands would complement these nautical features.
Dragons, the iconic flying reptiles that defined Skyrim’s identity, are supposedly returning despite being largely absent from previous Elder Scrolls lore outside of that game. The leak also mentions fortress and village building mechanics alongside traditional settlement construction, plus a more flexible progression system that abandons rigid class structures for natural character development.
How the Leak Spread
The 4chan post first appeared in November 2024, but it didn’t gain widespread attention until February 2025 when YouTuber Colt Eastwood created a video discussing the claims. That video caught the eye of eXtas1s, a known figure in gaming leak circles, who shared it with their followers calling the information impressive. From there, the leak exploded across Reddit, Twitter, and gaming news sites.
The problem is that many outlets and content creators covering the story failed to mention the original source. Some incorrectly attributed the information directly to eXtas1s rather than identifying it as a months-old anonymous forum post. This game of telephone gave the leak an air of legitimacy it probably doesn’t deserve.
Why Experts Are Skeptical
Gaming journalists and leak analysts quickly pointed out red flags. The most obvious issue is the source itself. Anonymous 4chan posts have a notorious track record of being elaborate fan fiction rather than genuine inside information. The platform allows anyone to post anything without accountability, making it a breeding ground for fake leaks.
The timing also raises questions. The leak conveniently appeared during a period when Elder Scrolls fans are desperate for any information about the game. Bethesda has been notoriously silent about the project since its brief teaser trailer in 2018. The lack of official updates makes the community particularly vulnerable to believing hopeful rumors.
Content creators who investigated further noted that the leak makes several safe predictions that anyone familiar with Bethesda’s development patterns could guess. Predicting a summer 2025 showcase reveal isn’t exactly going out on a limb given Microsoft’s need to maintain Game Pass momentum. Similarly, assuming Bethesda will iterate on mechanics from Starfield and Fallout 4 is just logical speculation rather than inside knowledge.
The Actual State of Development
More credible information suggests The Elder Scrolls 6 remains years away from release. A leak from May 2025 that appeared more legitimate claimed to come from an environment artist working on the project. That source indicated environmental art alone would take approximately two more years to complete, potentially pushing the release window beyond 2027.
During Microsoft’s FTC trial related to the Activision acquisition, internal documents suggested a 2026 target for Elder Scrolls 6. However, that timeline now seems optimistic given Bethesda’s track record and the scope of modern open-world RPG development. The studio is known for taking its time to ensure quality, often to the frustration of eager fans.
What We Actually Know
Confirmed information about The Elder Scrolls 6 remains extremely limited. Bethesda officially announced the game at E3 2018 with a brief teaser showing a landscape that many fans believe resembles Hammerfell based on the terrain. Todd Howard has stated the game will represent a major technological leap forward and that it’s designed to be played for at least a decade, similar to Skyrim’s longevity.
The studio has confirmed they’re building the game on an updated version of their Creation Engine, the same technology powering Starfield. Bethesda completed Starfield first before shifting more resources to Elder Scrolls 6, following their philosophy of not fully committing to a project until the previous one ships.
Why Fake Leaks Keep Happening
The Elder Scrolls 6 represents one of gaming’s most anticipated titles, creating perfect conditions for fake leaks to flourish. The massive gap between the teaser announcement and any substantial updates has left a vacuum that speculation and wishful thinking rush to fill. Fans are so hungry for information that they’ll latch onto almost anything that sounds plausible.
Additionally, creating convincing fake leaks has become easier as gaming communities have developed shared expectations about what features modern AAA games should include. Mentioning things like better loading times, more cities, and expanded mechanics doesn’t require insider access, just familiarity with current gaming trends and what fans have been requesting.
FAQs
Is the 4chan Elder Scrolls 6 leak real?
Almost certainly not. The leak originated from an anonymous 4chan post with no verifiable source. Gaming journalists who investigated found no credible evidence supporting the claims, and the information consists mostly of safe predictions and wishful thinking.
When will Elder Scrolls 6 actually release?
No official release date has been announced. Based on more credible development reports, the game likely won’t launch until 2027 or later. Bethesda is still in relatively early stages of development and the studio historically takes significant time between projects.
Will Elder Scrolls 6 be set in Hammerfell?
While not confirmed, the brief teaser trailer from 2018 showed landscape that many fans believe resembles Hammerfell’s desert and coastal regions. This remains speculation, though it’s one of the more widely accepted theories about the game’s setting.
Are dragons returning in Elder Scrolls 6?
Unknown. Dragons were central to Skyrim’s story but weren’t prominent in earlier Elder Scrolls games. Whether Bethesda brings them back depends on the narrative direction they choose, which hasn’t been revealed.
Will Elder Scrolls 6 have multiplayer or naval combat?
Bethesda hasn’t announced any multiplayer features, and the studio typically focuses on single-player experiences for mainline Elder Scrolls titles. Naval combat remains pure speculation with no official confirmation. The 4chan leak claiming these features has no credible backing.
Why hasn’t Bethesda shown more of Elder Scrolls 6?
Bethesda’s philosophy is to avoid showing games too early in development. Todd Howard has expressed regret about announcing Elder Scrolls 6 as early as they did. The studio prefers to reveal substantial information only when a game is closer to release.
Is eXtas1s a reliable source for game leaks?
While eXtas1s has accurately leaked some information in the past, in this case they were simply sharing someone else’s video about a 4chan post. They didn’t claim to have insider information themselves, though some coverage incorrectly presented it that way.
Conclusion
The latest Elder Scrolls 6 leak offers an exciting vision of what fans hope the game will become, but that’s ultimately all it is: hopeful imagination rather than credible information. The features described would certainly be welcome additions to the franchise, from expanded provinces to naval exploration, but there’s no real evidence any of it is accurate. Until Bethesda decides to officially share development progress, fans should treat anonymous forum posts with extreme skepticism no matter how detailed or appealing they sound. The real Elder Scrolls 6 will eventually arrive, and when it does, Bethesda will be the ones telling us about it, not random internet strangers.