The Future of The Elder Scrolls VI: Why Unreal Engine 5 Isn't the Solution
- Landon White
- 30 Apr, 25

The anticipation for The Elder Scrolls VI continues to build as fans eagerly await the next installment in Bethesda's critically acclaimed series. Amidst this excitement, a significant discussion has emerged around the choice of game engines, particularly why Unreal Engine 5 is not being considered for rendering the upcoming game. This dialogue has been fueled by comparisons to the recent Oblivion Remastered, which utilized Unreal Engine 5 with mixed results. Understanding this choice requires diving into the core issues surrounding Bethesda's Creation Engine and the implications of adopting an alternative like Unreal Engine 5.
The Creation Engine, Bethesda's long-standing game development backbone, has faced criticism over the years for its fragmented game world and technical limitations. These issues persist despite technological advances in rendering solutions. The Unreal Engine 5, known for its remarkable visual capabilities, might initially seem like a viable option to revamp The Elder Scrolls experience. However, this approach wouldn't necessarily address the underlying problems of the Creation Engine, such as the segmented nature of the game world. As demonstrated by the recent Oblivion Remastered, Unreal Engine struggled with integration due to the legacy Gamebryo engine's influence.
While Unreal Engine 5 offers impressive visual enhancements, the core technical issues experienced with the Creation Engine require solutions that go beyond rendering improvements. In recent releases like Starfield, Bethesda has shown progress in advancing the Creation Engine's capabilities, particularly in rendering, indicating movement towards resolving some of these concerns. Transitioning to Unreal Engine 5 might only complicate the development process, introduce potential performance setbacks, and delay the game's release. Oblivion Remastered's performance issues on less powerful systems underscore these challenges, showcasing how Unreal Engine 5 can be resource-intensive.
Furthermore, using Unreal Engine 5 might not align with Bethesda's development goals for The Elder Scrolls VI. Adopting a new engine involves a steep learning curve, potential rework of existing assets, and an increase in development time. The decision to stick with a modified Creation Engine suggests a focus on enhancing and optimizing known systems instead of starting from scratch. This strategy allows Bethesda to continue refining what they're already familiar with while gradually addressing player concerns from previous games.
In conclusion, while Unreal Engine 5 presents alluring possibilities with its visual prowess, the choice to continue utilizing and improving the Creation Engine for The Elder Scrolls VI seems to be a more pragmatic approach for Bethesda. The decision reflects a balancing act between innovation and practicality, ensuring a focus on long-term improvements while maintaining efficient development cycles. As the gaming community awaits The Elder Scrolls VI, the emphasis remains on delivering an experience that builds upon the strengths of its predecessors while cautiously addressing past criticisms.