Developers at Bethesda Game Studios are reportedly concerned about potential delays to The Elder Scrolls 6 following recent layoffs that have significantly impacted studio morale. These staff reductions, part of broader cuts at Microsoft-owned Bethesda, have cast a shadow over the highly anticipated title, which was first announced in 2018.
Sources within the studio described the recent Xbox "reset" as having a "crushing effect on morale," with developers previously expressing excitement for The Elder Scrolls 6. Concerns have been voiced about the possibility of further delays, although no firm release date had been set. A recent report indicated that the game was still several years from release, but the full extent of the impact from the layoffs remains uncertain.
Further complicating the outlook, developers have expressed fears that laid-off employees might be replaced by contract workers or new hires who would require extensive onboarding with Bethesda's proprietary tools. This scenario could lead to a "substantial and cascading effect" on the development of The Elder Scrolls 6 and necessitate crunch periods to meet timelines, according to studio insiders. The cuts have affected various disciplines, including programmers, artists, and designers, with some long-serving employees reportedly being let go.
In addition to The Elder Scrolls 6, Bethesda Game Studios has previously outlined plans to develop Fallout 5. However, the studio's strategic direction, as communicated by higher-ups, is now focused on projects with the highest potential for financial return. This shift comes as Microsoft consolidates its gaming division, with wider job cuts affecting thousands of employees across the company and divestments from several studios. Structural changes within Xbox aim to accelerate the development of key franchises like The Elder Scrolls and Fallout.