The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, an open-world RPG with enduring popularity and critical acclaim, has been one of the most successful games of all time. While some fans of the Elder Scrolls franchise are eagerly waiting for The Elder Scrolls 6 to be released, they'll have a long time to wait, as Bethesda is focusing on releasing the ambitious open-world space-themed RPG Starfield first. However, in the time since Skyrim's release, The Elder Scrolls Online has emerged as a powerful force in its own right, so much so that it will probably have more impact on the development of the sequel to Skyrim than Skyrim itself.
The Elder Scrolls: Online was released in 2014, only a few years after the release of Skyrim. The game was in development for seven years and eventually released as the MMORPG that millions of gamers are playing today. ESO is a vastly different game compared to Skyrim or other self-contained titles in the franchise. Instead of a strictly single-player campaign set in one location, ESO now spans nine provinces. Given the ongoing success and development of the title, it makes sense for Bethesda to take more inspiration from it versus Skyrim when developing The Elder Scrolls 6.
ESO-Exclusive Game Elements That Could Be In The Elder Scrolls 6
Anyone who has played The Elder Scrolls Online knows that the game is the best way to explore everything Tamriel offers. From Daggerfall to Elsweyr, the game allows players to travel freely between locations. The depth and breadth of ESO's map might be echoed in The Elder Scrolls 6, primarily if the game uses a similar system of transporting between worlds. ESO also allows players to have mounts that aren't horses. Players can ride camels, cave bears, wolves, lions, dogs, and even the Guar - reptilian creatures native to the Black Marsh. While only some of these mounts might be in the upcoming game, more mount options should be available.
Skyrim players would also notice that the ESO features an upgrade in combat. While combat functions similarly to popular MMOs like World of Warcraft or Runescape, it's a refreshing change from previous Elder Scrolls titles. Spells and martial attacks are dynamic and flashy, providing fresh and exciting animations. ESO also brings back the class list, having players choose from roles like Dragonknight, Nightblade, Templar, and more. What's exciting about this change is that the game still allows for an open-ended play style. Gamers can switch between weapons at will and add skill points to whatever they'd like, but there are a few more constraints, allowing for strategic leveling.
ESO Lore, Enemies, and Locations Might Be In The Elder Scrolls 6
The Elder Scrolls Online might be packed with more lore than all of these previous games in the franchise combined. This is because the game not only calls back to the lore in previous titles but has created new lines exclusive to the MMO. While some Skyrim favorites like the Dark Brotherhood have made it into the game, there is so much more to explore and adapt to future titles. For example, ESO features a wealth of enemy types, from Draugr-wielding ghosts to giant minotaur to Daedra. That diversity of enemies would be a fantastic addition to The Elder Scrolls 6, especially if players are able to travel across locations.
The MMO features lore that twists existing tropes in a new way. For instance, in the DLC pack The Elder Scrolls Online: Greymoor, the player can investigate the Gray Host, a group of vampires, werewolves, and other ghastly creatures working together under Molag Bal. This sort of vampire-werewolf team-up is a complete reversal of the lore in the Dawnguard DLC. To go with new lore, The Elder Scrolls 6 should also take inspiration from the number of locations in each area of ESO. For instance, within Daggerfall, there are at least four distinct areas - each with its own environments, enemies, and quests - and they all can stand alone.
The Elder Scrolls 6 is currently in development.