If you’ve been waiting patiently for The Elder Scrolls 6, you might want to find a comfortable chair. Bethesda’s Todd Howard just confirmed what many feared, the game is still a long way off. But before you start feeling too disappointed, there’s some good news for Fallout fans. According to multiple reports, Bethesda is actively developing a Fallout 3 remaster, and it could be following the same approach that made this year’s Oblivion Remastered such a success.
In a recent interview with GQ magazine, Howard addressed the elephant in the room about The Elder Scrolls 6. His message was simple but blunt: don’t hold your breath. The game was announced back in June 2018, which means we’re now over seven years past that initial teaser trailer. To put that in perspective, that’s longer than the gap between Skyrim’s release and The Elder Scrolls 6’s announcement.
The Long Wait for Elder Scrolls 6
Howard’s exact words were that the game is “still a long way off,” and he’s “preaching patience” because he doesn’t want fans to feel anxious. That’s a tough pill to swallow, especially considering Skyrim came out in November 2011. By the time The Elder Scrolls 6 launches, we could be looking at nearly two decades between mainline entries in the franchise.
The delay isn’t entirely surprising when you understand Bethesda’s priorities. The studio spent years developing Starfield, which launched in September 2023 but received mixed reactions from longtime fans who prefer the studio’s fantasy and post-apocalyptic settings. That project alone required at least five years of development time, pushing The Elder Scrolls 6 further down the timeline.
Howard did reveal that the game entered early development in August 2023, with early builds becoming available by March 2024. The team is currently playtesting The Elder Scrolls 6, which suggests some progress is being made. But Howard also made it clear that he likes having significant breaks between Elder Scrolls releases, admitting this particular gap has been excessive even by his standards.
The Shadowdrop Strategy
One intriguing detail from the interview was Howard floating the idea of a surprise release strategy. He mentioned that his perfect scenario would be for the game to simply appear one day without a long promotional buildup. He even suggested that the successful shadowdrop of Oblivion Remastered earlier this year was a test run for this approach.
Whether Bethesda actually pulls off a surprise launch for The Elder Scrolls 6 remains to be seen. The game is likely targeting Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox console and PC, with questions still swirling about whether it will appear on PlayStation 6 or as a cross-generation title.
Fallout 3 Remaster in Active Development
Now for the silver lining. When Howard mentioned that Bethesda has “hundreds of people on Fallout right now, with 76 and some other things we’re doing,” he wasn’t just talking about the live-service game. VGC reports that one of those “other things” is a remaster of Fallout 3, and it’s apparently following the same philosophy as The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered.
This is significant because Oblivion Remastered wasn’t just a basic graphics upgrade. Much of that game was rebuilt from the ground up using Unreal Engine 5, resulting in substantial improvements to visuals, performance, and overall quality. If Fallout 3 receives the same treatment, fans of the 2008 post-apocalyptic RPG have a lot to look forward to.
The Fallout 3 remaster has been rumored for quite some time. Leaked documents from Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023 revealed plans for both The Elder Scrolls 6 and a Fallout 3 remaster, though those original timelines clearly didn’t pan out. Multiple credible insiders have since corroborated that the project is real and in active development.
Why Now Makes Sense
The timing for a Fallout 3 remaster actually makes perfect business sense. The Fallout TV series became a massive hit earlier this year, reigniting interest in the franchise and bringing in new fans who never experienced the classic games. Fallout 4 received a next-gen update and an anniversary edition just launched on November 10.
With The Elder Scrolls 6 still years away and Fallout 5 even further off (Howard has said it won’t come until after The Elder Scrolls 6), a Fallout 3 remaster gives Bethesda something substantial to offer fans in the meantime. It also helps keep the franchise in the public eye while the team works on bigger projects.
The original Fallout 3 was Bethesda’s first crack at the post-apocalyptic franchise after acquiring the license from Interplay. It sold over 12 million copies and essentially reinvented the series for modern audiences. Howard himself described it as having “the best opening” of any game he’s worked on, praising its harsh tone and memorable introduction to the wasteland.
What to Expect from the Remaster
While Bethesda hasn’t officially announced anything, the comparisons to Oblivion Remastered give us a good framework for what to expect. That project featured enhanced graphics, improved performance, quality-of-life improvements, and modernized controls while maintaining the core gameplay that made the original special.
For Fallout 3, this could mean updated textures, improved lighting and particle effects, higher resolution assets, better frame rates, and potentially some mechanical improvements based on lessons learned from Fallout 4 and 76. The game is currently playable on Xbox Series X and S through backward compatibility with performance improvements, but a proper remaster would be a significant step up.
Managing Your Expectations
Before getting too excited, it’s worth noting that no official announcement has been made. Howard’s comments were deliberately vague, mentioning “some other things” without specifics. VGC’s report is based on their understanding of the situation rather than an official confirmation from Bethesda.
Additionally, previous reports from credible insiders suggested the Fallout 3 remaster wouldn’t arrive in 2024, and we’re already in mid-November 2025. One insider, Nate the Hate, previously said it would be “a while” before we see it, suggesting the project may still be in relatively early stages despite being in development.
Don’t expect an announcement at events that have already passed. Fallout Day 2025 came and went in October without any remaster news, focusing instead on existing titles like Fallout 76, Fallout 4, and Fallout Shelter.
The Bethesda Balancing Act
What’s clear from Howard’s interview is that Bethesda is juggling multiple projects across both of its flagship franchises. The Elder Scrolls 6 is the primary focus, described as “the everyday thing” for the studio. But with hundreds of people working on various Fallout projects, it’s obvious the developer isn’t putting all its eggs in one basket.
This strategy makes sense from both creative and business perspectives. It keeps multiple fanbases engaged, provides regular revenue streams, and prevents the studio from becoming too narrowly focused on a single project. The success of both the Fallout TV show and Oblivion Remastered proves there’s substantial demand for both franchises.
FAQs
When will The Elder Scrolls 6 be released?
Todd Howard says the game is still a long way off, with no release window announced. Given that it’s been in early development since August 2023 and considering Bethesda’s typical development cycles, a release before 2027 or 2028 seems unlikely.
Has Bethesda officially announced a Fallout 3 remaster?
No, Bethesda has not officially announced a Fallout 3 remaster. However, VGC reports that the project is in development, and Todd Howard mentioned “some other things” the studio is working on related to Fallout beyond Fallout 76.
Will Fallout 3 Remastered be similar to Oblivion Remastered?
According to reports, yes. The Fallout 3 remaster is expected to follow the same approach as Oblivion Remastered, which featured substantial improvements including Unreal Engine 5 implementation rather than just basic graphical updates.
Why is The Elder Scrolls 6 taking so long?
Bethesda prioritized development of Starfield, which required at least five years of work. Todd Howard has also stated that the technology wasn’t ready for what they wanted to do with The Elder Scrolls 6, and that Starfield’s engine upgrades would form the basis for the next Elder Scrolls game.
How many people are working on Fallout projects at Bethesda?
Todd Howard stated that Bethesda has hundreds of people working on Fallout right now, across Fallout 76 and other unannounced projects, though The Elder Scrolls 6 remains the studio’s primary focus.
Will The Elder Scrolls 6 come to PlayStation?
This hasn’t been confirmed. The game is likely targeting Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox console and PC. Whether it appears on PlayStation 6, possibly as a cross-generation title, remains an open question.
What did Todd Howard say about a surprise release for The Elder Scrolls 6?
Howard mentioned that his ideal scenario would be for the game to simply appear one day without a long wait after announcement. He suggested the Oblivion Remastered shadowdrop was a test run for this approach, though he didn’t confirm this would definitely happen.
Conclusion
The wait for The Elder Scrolls 6 continues to test the patience of fans who’ve been waiting since 2011 for a proper sequel to Skyrim. Todd Howard’s latest comments make it clear that we’re still years away from exploring Tamriel again, which is frustrating but not entirely unexpected given Bethesda’s development priorities and the complexity of modern AAA game production.
On the brighter side, the reported Fallout 3 remaster gives fans of Bethesda’s post-apocalyptic universe something concrete to anticipate. If it receives the same level of care and attention as Oblivion Remastered, it could introduce a new generation of players to one of the most influential RPGs of the late 2000s while giving longtime fans a reason to revisit the Capital Wasteland with fresh eyes.
The key takeaway is that Bethesda is actively working on multiple projects across both franchises, with hundreds of developers contributing to various initiatives. Whether you’re team Elder Scrolls or team Fallout, the studio clearly has plans to keep both communities engaged even if the wait for major new entries continues to stretch on. Just remember to keep those expectations realistic and don’t expect any official announcements until Bethesda is good and ready.