The Elder Scrolls 6has had fans waiting for several years with seemingly little to show so far. A new whirlwind of rumors has begun circling, which has helped revive active discussion around the game. However, the most prominent rumors so far seem to overlook one crucial aspect ofThe Elder Scrolls 6and its eventual setting.
Although it’s certainly not universal,The Elder Scrollshas formed a naming convention thanks to titles likeMorrowindandSkyrim. Some now believe thatThe Elder Scrolls 6may be the next to follow suit, thanks to a credible rumor that the game will take place inTamriel’s desert region of Hammerfell. Although there is no official confirmation yet, fans should start to recognize that the when is just as important as the where.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Hammerfell Rumors Don’t Account for its Place in the Timeline
The Elder Scrolls 6’s Depiction of Hammerfell has Far Reaching Implications
The setting of any givenElder Scrollsgame will ultimately define an extraordinary amount of information about its story and characters. For example,Skyrim’s longevity and mainstream successare both unmatched, and its narrative heavily features the Nords who are native to the titular nation. With that in mind, it’s no wonder that fans and leakers alike would be eager to find out where the game takes place.
Although Hammerfell is most well known for the arid Alik’r Desert, the nation is also home to a number of jungle and grassland regions. Likewise, it is inhabited by the Redguards, a race of humans well known for their natural gift in combat. The region has been inhabited by a number of other races, such as the Dwemer, which could leave room for ancient ruins similar to those seen inSkyrim. There are a number of reasons that make Hammerfell well suited to be thesetting ofTheElder Scrolls 6, but this is only seeing half of the picture.
The Elder Scrolls 6 Needs to Reveal When it Takes Place
While the location of the game is certainly important, the time it takes place in could be considered twice as relevant forThe Elder Scrolls 6. The simple question is whether it takes place before or after its predecessor, but the subject quickly becomes even deeper than that. The competing factions at play, major historical events, and even the future of the series all hinge onES6’s place in the wider timeline.
With theexception ofThe Elder Scrolls Online, it’s been more than ten years since the series has seen a major release. This fact provides a lot of context for how developers should decide how much time has elapsed betweenSkyrimand its successor. For example, one has to wonder ifThe Elder Scrolls 6will have strong ties to previous games, or if it will be opting for a soft reboot.
IfThe Elder Scrolls 6only features a small timeskip forward, it will naturally beg the question of ties to previous games. Therefore, if developers want a cleaner slate, it would make sense to take place much further in the future. A larger timeskip doesn’t mean the game would have to swear offSkyrimeaster eggs, or references to any other corner of the series' history, but it certainly helps to avoid any potential plot holes. Players can’t ask why this or that character isn’t involved if they’ve simply been dead for hundreds of years.
On the other hand,The Elder Scrolls 6could even give players a look into the past. This seems unlikely given series trends so far, but would still carry plenty of value. There are many options at hand, andThe Elder Scrolls 6seems sure to make history. Whatever route developers take, the game can have a more dramatic impact in the lead up to its release by unveiling its place in Tamriel’s history.
