Not Every Elder Scrolls Region Is Sequel Material, Says Ex-Developer

Elder Scrolls

Most gamers are waiting for real news on The Elder Scrolls 6, but some are already guessing what will follow.

This is when former Bethesda developer and Elder Scrolls lore expert Kurt Kuhlmann gives a reality check.

In a recent interview, he made it clear that Bethesda probably won’t use every region of Tamriel for the next main game, especially some of the stranger provinces.

Which Regions Does the Ex-Dev Think Bethesda Will Avoid?

According to Kuhlmann, Elsweyr and Black Marsh are fan-favorite regions, but probably will not be the focus of The Elder Scrolls 7.

The Khajiit and Argonians as dominant races create obstacles to making a broadly accessible experience.

Although these races have deep lore and are the series' mainstays, Kuhlmann feels that a game about cat-like or reptilian characters could be less attractive to fans familiar with human-centered narratives.

He described the idea as potentially “too weird” for what Bethesda usually goes for.

Is Kuhlmann Guessing or Speaking from Experience?

This isn't to say he thinks it would be impossible to make compelling stories in those areas—just that Bethesda likely won’t take that risk, especially when trying to appeal to millions of players under Microsoft’s umbrella.

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In his opinion, areas like Skyrim or Cyrodiil have a solid, realistic tone that developers tend to pick, so the next big title might follow suit. Kuhlmann was clear about how disconnected he feels from the new Elder Scrolls projects.

He contributed to Oblivion and Skyrim, but acknowledged the series is now in the hands of different developers who are taking it elsewhere. He doesn’t think TES6 or its sequel will have the same strange vibe or tone as Morrowind, which is famous for its surreal worlds and alien peoples.

That kind of experimental design might simply be off the table under the current leadership. Kuhlmann notes that Bethesda’s creativity, especially under Todd Howard, favors a more realistic take on fantasy.

Are Elsweyr and Black Marsh Completely Off the Table?

Still, this doesn’t mean regions like Elsweyr or Black Marsh are off-limits forever.

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Kuhlmann clarified that he was speculating rather than revealing insider facts. In fact, both settings have already been explored through. The Elder Scrolls Online confirms they perform well under the right conditions.

Focusing on those elements in a single-player blockbuster is what causes hesitation. Bethesda is handling several big franchises like Fallout 5 and new Starfield updates, so The Elder Scrolls 7 might not come out for ten years or longer.

And by then, everything could change. For now, insights from a former key figure in the series show that not every Tamriel province is seen as good sequel material. Some wait in the background until a team and time accept their strangeness.

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