Microsoft Fumbles in Response to FTC, Revealing a Shocking Elder Scrolls 6 Mistake

During a recent interaction with the FTC, a Microsoft lawyer unintentionally made an error regarding the release of "Elder Scrolls 16," stating that it will be launched in 2026. As fans eagerly await news about the long-awaited sequel, the five-year-old reveal trailer of the Elder Scrolls 6 continues to hold their attention.

Several weeks ago, the FTC took steps to impede Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Since June 22, Microsoft has been engaged in discussions with the regulator in an effort to obtain approval for the acquisition. The purchase of Bethesda by Microsoft in 2021 marked one of the largest video game acquisitions in history. Consequently, certain Bethesda games have become exclusive to Xbox consoles, with the highly anticipated Starfield not being released on PlayStation 5. Consequently, the focus of the hearing has revolved around the Bethesda acquisition, potentially providing insights into Microsoft's future actions as the owner of Activision Blizzard.

The Verge reported a curious mistake during the hearing. Microsoft's lawyer attempted to correct the FTC on an issue related to Elder Scrolls but ended up making their own error. In their statement, the lawyer mentioned "Elder Scrolls 16" and claimed it would be released as a single-player game in 2026. It is reasonable to assume that the lawyer actually meant The Elder Scrolls 6, which raises intriguing questions about the anticipated game. Phil Spencer recently hinted that The Elder Scrolls 6 is still at least five years away, so it seems odd for a lawyer to knowingly contradict this information.

With Starfield nearing completion, it was expected that The Elder Scrolls 6 would likely enter full production later this year or early next year. However, this tight timeline raises concerns about Bethesda's ability to meet the 2026 release date. Moreover, it seems unlikely that a lawyer would possess such insider knowledge, suggesting that this slip of the tongue is simply a mistake.

The ongoing FTC hearing has been plagued with similar errors, and The Elder Scrolls 6 is not the only casualty. Accidentally unredacted documents have exposed the budgets of The Last of Us Part 2 and Horizon Forbidden West, as well as leaked the existence of DayZ 2. It is almost astonishing how much information has slipped through the cracks in the past few days, particularly in a hearing where attention to detail is crucial.

The Elder Scrolls 6 is in development.

Source: The Verge