During a court session tied to the Federal Trade Commission lawsuit over the Microsoft and Activision Blizzard merger, a representative from a U.S. IT firm inadvertently revealed a new entry in the Elder Scrolls franchise. The disclosure came as part of coverage from PC Gamer, which noted the misstep during the proceedings.
In the courtroom, the presiding judge pressed FTC counsel to outline the potential repercussions for the gaming industry if Call of Duty were to remain exclusive to Xbox. As soon as an FTC official began drawing a comparison between Call of Duty and The Elder Scrolls for public visibility, a Microsoft attorney interjected.
“There are two Elder Scrolls titles. The first is The Elder Scrolls Online, an online game that is available on PlayStation. He [the FTC attorney] spoke about The Elder Scrolls 16. This title would be single-player and is reportedly slated for 2026.”
PC Gamer observed that the Microsoft lawyer’s correction was off the mark. The moment the IT industry representative mentioned The Elder Scrolls 16, chatter suggested it referred to a hypothetical or misnamed episode in the series, given that The Elder Scrolls 6 was publicly announced in 2018 and not tied to a 2026 release as a certainty.
Industry coverage, including PC Gamer, also cast doubt on the timing of The Elder Scrolls 6’s release, noting skepticism among journalists about a launch this soon. Even optimistic statements from Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, pointed to a development horizon of at least several more years before a successor to The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim would reach players.
Earlier, reports tied to the Robocop movie project mentioned a different tier of access, suggesting that special or early access programs might be reserved for a limited group of users identified as the most deserving. This echoed broader patterns in game publishing where early access and exclusive content are negotiated as part of strategic partnerships and marketing cycles.
Overall, the courtroom exchange underscored how regulatory scrutiny intersects with high-profile game releases and corporate strategy. Analysts watching the FTC case noted that public perception and media framing around exclusive content could influence the discussion about competitive balance in the console market. The dialogue around The Elder Scrolls, Call of Duty, and their potential platform alignment illustrates how blockbuster franchises can shape perceptions even before new entries reach shelves, and how precise language in testimony can lead to important clarifications in a high-stakes legal setting. In the months ahead, observers anticipate further testimony and documentary evidence that will illuminate the competitive dynamics between console ecosystems and the broader online services that support multiplayer experiences. (Source: PC Gamer)