Xbox has renewed its commitment to both The Elder Scrolls and Fallout as it makes massive changes to its company structure. A new Fallout and Elder Scrolls could be coming sooner under the new Xbox restructure, which includes the elimination of 1,600 jobs and the closure of four studios.
Bethesda Overhaul Focuses on Key Franchises
As reported by Bloomberg and cited by CharlieIntel, Xbox is overhauling Bethesda to focus on its biggest franchises: Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, Doom, Quake, and Wolfenstein. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma is keen to start publishing new Fallout and Elder Scrolls games more quickly, especially after large gaps between titles. 2026 will mark 15 years since the last mainline Elder Scrolls game (Skyrim, 2011) and 11 years since Fallout 4 (2015).
Bethesda Softworks has poured resources into Fallout 76 and Starfield, neither of which captured fans' imaginations as strongly as earlier titles. The overhaul aims to redirect resources toward these tentpole franchises.
Xbox Restructure Details
Asha Sharma outlined plans in an email to employees: "We will reduce management layers to no more than 5, and where possible, 3. We will deliver success through a flatter organization that is built around makers, player-coaches, and directly responsible individuals. And we will streamline how we work across our tools, with a cleaner code base, shared services, and 50% reduced vendor spend."
Since the news broke, several Bethesda employees have announced their positions are among the 1,600 eliminated from Xbox's workforce. That total is expected to reach 3,200 by the end of the financial year. Jeff Gardiner, a former Bethesda employee, reports that around 35 positions have been cut at Bethesda. The company has not officially commented on the total number.
When Will The Elder Scrolls 6 Release?
Bethesda remains tight-lipped about The Elder Scrolls 6, despite its initial reveal in 2018. Game director Todd Howard has hinted that the game is in playtesting within the studio. During a press junket for Fallout Season 2 earlier this year, he mentioned he prefers not to discuss games until they are close to shipping.
Matt Booty, Xbox's chief content officer, told Variety: "I can tell you, having visited Bethesda and sat with Todd and seen 'Elder Scrolls' playing, it looks amazing, and it’s coming along well. And we’ll make sure to announce it and really reveal it at the right time."
While no official release dates are set for The Elder Scrolls 6 or Fallout 5, the latest Xbox changes suggest management is eager to get them out sooner rather than later.
