Todd Howard confirms Creation Engine 3 for Skyrim sequel
Bethesda confirms upgraded engine for The Elder Scrolls VI
Bethesda is one of the few RPG makers still creating games with its own proprietary engine, and opinions on this are mixed. While many gamers are thankful that Bethesda isn’t using Unreal Engine 5, many of the technical shortcomings in their games can be attributed to the company’s “Creation Engine”. Now, Todd Howard has confirmed that Bethesda has built their “Creation Engine 3” for The Elder Scrolls VI, the studio’s long-awaited sequel to Skyrim.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim was built using Bethesda’s Creation Engine, with the engine later powering Fallout 4 and Fallout 76. For Starfield, Bethesda created its Creation 2 Engine. With this engine came real-time global illumination, volumetric lighting, and other technological upgrades.
Right now, it is unknown what Bethesda has added or reworked within its Creation Engine to create its new Creation 3 Engine. The studio has reportedly spent “the last several years” building its upgrade engine. Additionally, this engine is expected to power several future games. Let’s hope that their changes reduce the number of loading screens that players see.
We’ve spent the last several years bringing Creation Engine 2, which powers Starfield, up to Creation Engine 3, which is going to power Elder Scrolls 6 and beyond.
If Todd Howard’s statements are correct, Starfield will be Bethesda’s only Creation 2 Engine game. However, it is worth noting that Howard’s prior statements suggested that TES VI would be a Creation Engine 2 game. That said, development timelines change, and only Bethesda can define when Creation 2 changes enough to become Creation 3.
Hopefully, Bethesda will share more details about The Elder Scrolls VI soon. Starfield launched in 2023. That means Bethesda has had almost 3 years to build what’s next. Do you expect to hear about The Elder Scrolls 6 soon?
You can join the discussion on The Elder Scrolls VI using Bethesda’s Creation Engine 3 on the OC3D Forums.
