The Elder Scrolls 6 Setting Was Decided Over Ten Years Ago

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As a huge Elder Scrolls fan, it feels like forever since Bethesda first hinted at The Elder Scrolls 6! But honestly, we’re still completely in the dark about where it will even take place. The teaser showed mountains and a lot of trees, but that doesn’t tell us much. Everyone’s buzzing about Hammerfell and High Rock as possibilities, and some people even think a little doodle in Starfield might be a map of the Iliac Bay. But let’s be real, it’s all just speculation at this point.

Kurt Kuhlmann, a past designer and lore expert, hinted that the setting for the next Elder Scrolls game is likely something fans would expect, potentially giving us a clue about what it could be.

According to an interview with PC Gamer, Todd Kuhlmann explained that when the team first began discussing the next game around the time of Fallout 4, there was general agreement on the location. It wasn’t a debate, but a shared understanding of where the game should be set. At that early stage, they were focused on the setting and atmosphere, without any story details yet.

Honestly, the guy, Kuhlmann, said things might be different at Bethesda since I last played their games three years ago, but I’m kinda skeptical about that. It feels like they usually stick to their guns.

The recent war between the Aldmeri Dominion and the Empire has left a lasting impact on Skyrim. The once-powerful Blades are struggling to rebuild and fight the return of dragons, while a civil war rages over the banning of Talos worship. Adding to the turmoil, Thalmor spies are searching for powerful objects like the Eye of Magnus, potentially with world-ending consequences. Given all this conflict, it’s clear the game’s setting would need to naturally support such a dramatic story.

Hammerfell Would Be A Pretty Obvious Next Choice, Right?

Hammerfell is a leading candidate for the next Elder Scrolls game because the Redguards successfully fought off and expelled the Thalmor, regaining their independence – something the Nords also strive for. We encounter a Redguard warrior named Kematu in Skyrim who confirms that resistance to the Dominion is still strong in Hammerfell. Bethesda has a history of subtly hinting at future games – like mentioning the Institute in Fallout 3 and foreshadowing the Oblivion crisis in Morrowind – so this connection feels intentional.

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Honestly, the next Elder Scrolls game could take place almost anywhere – High Rock, the Summerset Isles, maybe even several provinces! We’re all just guessing until Bethesda tells us for sure. But the fact that so many people thought they had it figured out actually makes me think those Hammerfell theories we’ve been talking about for ages might be right. If we are going to war with the Thalmor, who would be more perfect to lead the charge than the Redguards?

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2026-01-28 19:35